cheesecloth

American  

[cheez-klawth, -kloth] / ˈtʃizˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ /

noun

1. a lightweight cotton fabric of open texture.

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cheesecloth British  

/ ˈtʃiːzˌklɒθ /

noun

1. a loosely woven cotton cloth formerly used only for wrapping cheese

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Etymology

Origin of cheesecloth

First recorded in 1650–60; so called because first used to wrap cheese

Compare meaning

How does cheesecloth compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cheesecloth vs. muslin

Explanation

The loosely woven fabric that's useful for straining food is called cheesecloth. You can thicken yogurt by wrapping it in cheesecloth and setting it in a colander for a few hours. Cheesecloth gets its name from its most common use, in cheesemaking. The gauze-like material is perfect for allowing moisture, or whey, to run out of cheese curds, leaving solid cheese behind. Cheesecloth is also useful in many other ways, both in the kitchen (covering food, straining soup) and out (wiping ink during the printmaking process, making lightweight clothing).

Example Sentences

The taste and texture of a warm block is priceless when I first unwrap it from the cheesecloth.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

The Brownstone Boys wiped Varathane Early American stain onto their chair with cheesecloth.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2024

After four hours, strain with a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2023

Place a nut milk bag, cheesecloth or very thin kitchen towel over a large fine-mesh strainer.

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2022

Liyana’s mother said she’d had the best day ever in the village and had finally learned how to make lebne by straining yogurt through cheesecloth.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye