cheesecloth

American  

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

noun

1. a lightweight cotton fabric of open texture.

---

cheesecloth British  

/ ˈtʃiːzˌklɒθ /

noun

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

---

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

When asked how to keep a Thanksgiving turkey juicy while cooking, Stewart pointed to her Turkey 101 recipe, which uses cheesecloth or parchment paper to keep the meat moist.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2025

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

From Washington Post • Aug. 21, 2022

Remove cellular debris by filtering each fruit mixture through cheesecloth or porous cloth and into a funnel placed in a test tube or an appropriate container.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

You’ll need a threadbare cotton or linen towel or a double layer of fine cheesecloth and some twine, as well as a place to hang the cheese as it drains.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2022

Coming out again, he held the hose, like a lemon wedge wrapped in cheesecloth, over the flames, and prepared to squeeze . . . . . . when suddenly he stopped.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides