noun
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a sieve used for straining sauces, vegetables, tea, etc
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a gauze or simple filter used to strain liquids
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a self-locking device or a tool for tightening fencing wire
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the main post in a wire fence, often diagonally braced
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of strainer
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at strain 1, -er 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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Once the lemon juice is combined with the macerated peels, water and pickle juice are stirred in before the entire mixture is strained using a fine-mesh strainer.
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2025
This method works with anything with holes, such as a straw hat, a strainer, a cheese grater or even a perforated spoon.
From New York Times ● Apr. 7, 2024
Roll them before juicing, use a reamer if you have it and use a fine-mesh strainer to catch seeds.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2023
Let stand for 10 minutes, then pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl and press on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 21, 2023
I poured the cooked hot chocolate mixture through the strainer and into the bowl.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
Special strainers for grating and juicing tomatoes gained a place among kitchen furnishings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025
She trimmed jeans threads, cooked savouries, shelled almonds and made tea strainers, door knobs, photo frames and toy guns.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2024
Hand crank and electric tomato presses, strainers and sauce makers allow gardeners to separate the skins and seeds from the tomato meat for quicker and easier processing.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 13, 2023
The tubes are approximately 10 mm in diameter, boast a narrow tip and include what appear to be strainers, which would filter out the impurities that were common in age-old beer.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 19, 2022
Albert was cleaning out the teacups on the table in front of the sofa and laying tea strainers across the tops.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
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