noun
-
a sieve used for straining sauces, vegetables, tea, etc
-
a gauze or simple filter used to strain liquids
-
a self-locking device or a tool for tightening fencing wire
-
the main post in a wire fence, often diagonally braced
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of strainer
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at strain 1, -er 1
Compare meaning
How does strainer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
While their treatment of the ancient world is informed, to say the least, by their prior work, the scenario also feels like Hallmark pulped through a Disney strainer.
From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2023
Roll them before juicing, use a reamer if you have it and use a fine-mesh strainer to catch seeds.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2023
Strain through a fine mesh strainer set over a large measuring cup or medium bowl, pressing on the solids; you should have 1½ cups strained coconut milk.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 26, 2023
Pour the mixture into a wire mesh strainer over a bowl or measuring cup.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 17, 2023
When the last school bell rang, he picked the nearly dry pickles out of the strainer, jammed them into his pockets and threw the strainer behind the oranges.
From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
Special strainers for grating and juicing tomatoes gained a place among kitchen furnishings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025
Hand crank and electric tomato presses, strainers and sauce makers allow gardeners to separate the skins and seeds from the tomato meat for quicker and easier processing.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 13, 2023
James recommends silicone strainers over metal ones, because they don’t rust or retain stains, and they won’t scratch your sink’s surface.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 23, 2021
The eyewear, made from soft drinks cans, plastic tea strainers, clothes pegs, bottle brushes and other objects represent the innovative way that many everyday things in Kenya are repurposed for other uses, Muriu says.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2021
Albert was cleaning out the teacups on the table in front of the sofa and laying tea strainers across the tops.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
