shaker

American  

[shey-ker] / ˈʃeɪ kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that shakes.

2. a container with a perforated top from which a seasoning, condiment, sugar, flour, or the like is shaken onto food.

3. any of various containers for shaking beverages to mix the ingredients.

   a cocktail shaker.

4. a dredger or caster.

5. (initial capital letter) a member of the Millennial Church, originating in England in the middle of the 18th century and brought to the U.S. in 1774, advocating celibacy, common ownership of property, and a strict and simple way of life: so called from their practice of shaking during religious services.

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adjective

1. (initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a style of something produced by Shakers and characterized by simplicity of form, lack of ornamentation, fine craftsmanship, and functionality.

shaker British  

/ ˈʃeɪkə /

noun

1. a person or thing that shakes

2. a container, often having a perforated top, from which something, such as a condiment, is shaken

3. a container in which the ingredients of alcoholic drinks are shaken together

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shaker Idioms  

1. see mover and shaker.

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Etymology

Origin of shaker

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at shake, -er ¹

Example Sentences

"So he was a real mover and shaker of the movement".

From BBC • May 17, 2026

A seed shaker swaps the bouquet for something that actually grows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

He held up a shaker filled with salt and spices and pointed out the little holes on the shaker’s cover.

From Slate • Aug. 11, 2025

Before that, I only knew the Kraft shaker bottle.

From Salon • May 23, 2025

Reaching roughly across his shoulder I picked up a greasy menu that rested between the sugar shaker and the hot-sauce bottle and pretended to read it through my dark lenses.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

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