colander

American  

[kuhl-uhn-der, kol-] / ˈkʌl ən dər, ˈkɒl- /

Also cullender

noun

1. a metal or plastic container with a perforated bottom, for draining and straining foods.

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colander British  

/ ˈkʌl-, ˈkɒləndə /

noun

1. a pan with a perforated bottom for straining or rinsing foods

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Etymology

Origin of colander

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

Compare meaning

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

• colander vs. strainer
• colander vs. sieve

Example Sentences

And the NHL’s most fearsome netminder suddenly looked as impenetrable as a colander.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2025

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

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2025

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 • Mar. 28, 2025

Water flows through this rock as it does through a colander in your kitchen sink.

From Seattle Times • May 27, 2024

The colander, upside down, was now over Mrs. Frisby.

From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien