water cooler

American  

noun

1. a container for holding drinking water that is cooled and drawn off by a faucet or spigot.

2. a drinking fountain in which water is cooled by mechanical refrigeration.

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water cooler British  

noun

1. a device for cooling and dispensing drinking water

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1. informal

   1. indicating the kind of informal conversation among office staff that takes place at such a dispenser

      water-cooler conversations

   2. indicating an event, television programme, etc, sufficiently controversial or otherwise noteworthy to provide subject matter for such conversations

      water-cooler television

      a water-cooler moment

Etymology

Origin of water cooler

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

“It’s like the modern day water cooler, essentially.”

From Los Angeles Times

Even when we grouse about our jobs, by the water cooler and over Slack, the complaint is rarely about working hard.

From The Wall Street Journal

Like many writers working alone, she had used Twitter as a virtual water cooler.

From Los Angeles Times

“You can get talented people, but the water cooler effect is gone.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was the epitome of water cooler television.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• water fountain