colander

[ kuhl-uhn-der, kol- ]

noun

1. a metal or plastic container with a perforated bottom, for draining and straining foods.

colander

/ ˈkʌl-; ˈkɒləndə /

noun

1. a pan with a perforated bottom for straining or rinsing foods

Word History and Origins

Origin of colander¹

1400–50; late Middle English colyndore, perhaps (with nasalization) < Old Provençal colador < Medieval Latin cōlātōrium, equivalent to Latin cōlā(re) “to strain” (verbal derivative of cōlum strainer) + -tōrium -tory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of colander¹

C14 colyndore, probably from Old Provençal colador, via Medieval Latin, from Late Latin cōlāre to filter, from Latin cōlum sieve

Example Sentences

Water flows through this rock as it does through a colander in your kitchen sink.

From Seattle Times

Holding up a colander can also project the partial eclipse onto the ground, as can looking at sunlight dappling through a tree’s leaves, or through your fingers aligned perpendicularly.

From Los Angeles Times

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can use an indirect viewing method such as a colander or pinhole projector.

From Salon

Strain through a colander, saving ½ cup of the cooking liquid, then add the pasta to the saute pan, along with the reserved cooking liquid.

From Seattle Times

Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water, tossing well, until cool to the touch.

From Washington Times