graduated cylinder

noun

1. a narrow, cylindrical container marked with horizontal lines to represent units of measurement and used to precisely measure the volume of liquids.

Word History and Origins

Origin of graduated cylinder¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

His work, including the cushiony 1963 leather Elda chair and the 1969 Tube chair, made from four graduated cylinders wrapped in vinyl, was refined yet had a populist swagger that evoked the factory floor.

From New York Times

We head to lunch at this vegan spot, Casa de Luz, then back home to unpack the remaining spirits, plus my graduated cylinders, beakers, scales and other tools.

From New York Times

A laboratory it is, but one without beakers, graduated cylinders or the smell of chemicals.

From Washington Times

Modern booze, it turns out, is increasingly approached with lab coats and graduated cylinders.

From Newsweek

The gas is measured in the graduated cylinder on the right, which is surrounded by a water jacket and provided with a levelling bottle.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Graduated Cylinder

What is a graduated cylinder?

A graduated cylinder is a cylindrical vessel marked with measurement lines. It’s used to visually measure the volume of liquids.

Graduated cylinders come in many sizes, but they will almost always be shaped as a narrow cylinder with one closed end that is flat and round and one open end that is also round. They are usually made out of a hard plastic or glass that can resist the effects of most harsh chemicals. Graduated cylinders are marked with different degrees of volume depending on their size.

Example: During chemistry lab, we mixed several liquids in graduated cylinders and marked their volumes in our lab books.

Where does graduated cylinder come from?

The first records of the term graduated cylinder come from around the 1940s. It combines the terms graduated, meaning “arranged in degrees,” and cylinder, referring to a vessel as being narrow and cylindrical.

Did you know ... ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with graduated cylinder? 

• graduated
• cylinder

What are some words that often get used in discussing graduated cylinder?

• liquid
• measurement
• mixture
• volume

How is graduated cylinder used in real life?

Graduated cylinders are used frequently to precisely measure liquids, especially in the sciences.

The security line at Delta is at a complete stand still. They only have one graduated cylinder to measure the liquids.

— Paula Poundstone (@paulapoundstone) October 1, 2010

I think I sensed a little chemistry back there when you passed me that graduated cylinder of ethyl nitrate. #worstpickuplines

— Andrew O. (@TheOrvedahl) February 2, 2011

I've also inherited lots of labware over the years. I donated a lot of it to my daughter's high school science teachers. They were very excited to receive ehrlenmeyer flasks, graduated cylinders, beakers, bottles, etc. Check with your local or regional schools.

— Brian Stevenson Spirochete Lab (@BStevensonLab) April 20, 2022

Try using graduated cylinder!

True or False?

A graduated cylinder measures width and height.