keg

American  

[keg] / kɛg /

noun

1. a small cask or barrel, usually holding from 5 to 10 gallons (19 to 38 liters).

2. a unit of weight, equal to 100 pounds (45 kilograms), used for nails.

3. Also kegger. a keg party; beer bust.

---

keg British  

/ kɛɡ /

noun

1. a small barrel with a capacity of between five and ten gallons

2. 1. an aluminium container in which beer is transported and stored

   2. Also called: keg beer.  beer kept in a keg: it is infused with gas and served under pressure

---

keg Idioms  

1. see sitting on a powder keg.

---

Etymology

Origin of keg

1585–95; earlier cag < Old Norse kaggi

Example Sentences

Witless doesn’t even begin to describe celebrating those who are willing to fall down a hill for a keg of not very good beer at a wedding.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re standing next to a dynamite keg and the fuse is lit,” said Johnston.

From Literature

On Monday morning, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche described the situation as a "powder keg".

From BBC

For Crudup, Timothy isn’t a bitter powder keg but a man looking for a little closure, someone who has made peace with the past until the moment he doesn’t get the apology he’s expecting.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's a powder keg now and we need to get something done and we need the Home Office to listen," he added.

From BBC

Related Words

• cask