taster

American  

[tey-ster] / ˈteɪ stər /

noun

1. a person who tastes, especially one skilled in distinguishing the qualities of liquors, tea, etc., by the taste.

2. a container for taking samples or tasting.

3. a wide shallow cup, usually metal, for holding wine to be tasted, as by a professional taster.

4. a person employed or ordered to taste the food and drink prepared for a king, dictator, etc., to ascertain the presence of poison.

5. Genetics. a person able to taste phenylthiourea or some other test substance.

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taster British  

/ ˈteɪstə /

noun

1. a person who samples food or drink for quality

2. any device used in tasting or sampling

3. a person employed, esp formerly, to taste food and drink prepared for a king, etc, to test for poison

4. a sample or preview of a product, experience, etc, intended to stimulate interest in the product, experience, etc, itself

   the single serves as a taster for the band's new album

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pretaster
  noun

Etymology

Origin of taster

1350–1400; Middle English tastour < Anglo-French. See taste, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Three months later, they were filming a taster for the documentary on location in Mexico.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

A pea taster, she samples about 32 plates of peas on a daily basis during the season.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2025

Willow's parents said she had one free "taster" session and then one paid session.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2024

A taster of an upcoming musical spoofing the disastrous Willy Wonka experience is to premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2024

Macon glanced at Cat, then at the cup filled with taster spoons.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

Related Words

• bowl
• drink
• mug