keg

[keg]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of keg¹

1585–95; earlier cag < Old Norse kaggi

Word History and Origins

Origin of keg¹

C17: variant of Middle English kag, of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse kaggi cask

Idioms and Phrases

see sitting on a powder keg.

Example Sentences

A council leader has called for control over protests outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers, describing it as a "powder keg" situation.

From BBC

"The police lines came under attack from heavy masonry, fireworks, petrol bombs and beer kegs," he added.

From BBC

The press and the then-burgeoning powder keg of social media ran with it.

From Salon

Initially, Gardner had a small collection of mostly bourbon, plus the keg.

From Los Angeles Times

Her rendition of Morrissey’s “Dear God, Please Help Me” hits its climax when Faithfull bellows at full volume, “There are explosive kegs / Between my legs / Dear God, please help me.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cask