colander

[ kuhl-uhn-der, kol- ]

noun

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

colander

/ ˈkʌl-; ˈkɒləndə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of colander¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of colander¹

C14 colyndore, probably from Old Provençal colador, via Medieval Latin, from Late Latin cōlāre to filter, from Latin cōlum sieve

Example Sentences

Solo Stove This Solo Stove smokeless fire pit is made from brushed-finish stainless steel and looks a bit like a colander on the bottom.

From Popular-Science

Let the potatoes drain and cool in a colander while you make the dressing.

From Washington Post

Transfer to a colander and rinse well under cold running water.

From Washington Post

If using frozen peas, place them in a colander and pour the boiling water over them until just thawed.

From Washington Post

This summer, I loved using the colander to rinse off farmers market strawberries.

From Eater

Like the colander, in use since ancient times, it is an example of a kitchen technology that has stuck.

From The Daily Beast

The table fork is far less time-honored than such objects as the colander, the waffle iron, the bain-marie.

From The Daily Beast

Strain the marinade through a colander, reserving the liquid and reserving the bacon, vegetables, herbs, and spices separately.

From The Daily Beast

RIE toys are simple—a paisley scarf, a wooden spoon, a plastic colander—so as to stimulate imagination and motor skills.

From The Daily Beast

Use the back of the spoon to press the eggplant flesh against the side of the colander to remove excess water.

From The Daily Beast

Put a sieve or colander over a large bowl and spread a square of cheese cloth over the sieve.

From Project Gutenberg

All oysters, when cooked in any way, should be first put in a colander and the juice allowed to drain off, then strain the juice.

From Project Gutenberg

When thoroughly soft, drain the water from the peas and put them through a colander.

From Project Gutenberg

Force the corn through a colander or a sieve, and add the purée to the white sauce.

From Project Gutenberg

This was done by dipping the colander up and down in a pan of clear cold water.

From Project Gutenberg