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

Using a colander or other method of choice, shake off excess flour-cornmeal before lowering okra into hot oil.

From Salon

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can create a simple pinhole camera with just two sheets of cardboard or even use a colander to project the Sun's image safely onto the ground.

From BBC

Farther to the east, at one point it seemed as if the Mojave Desert was as hole-pocked as a colander.

From Los Angeles Times

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