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.

---

water cooler British  

noun

1. a device for cooling and dispensing drinking water

---

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

“There is a lot of water cooler talk about people who haven’t had work in months,” said Emily Lawrence, who has narrated more than 600 audiobooks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

For sure, he doesn’t want to be remembered mostly as the guy who foolishly broke his foot kicking a water cooler in frustration.

From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2023

That meant that 50 million to 60 million viewers were watching in real time, and arguing it out the next morning around the water cooler, generating praise and protestations from progressives and conservatives alike.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2023

If there was one moment that encapsulates Kelenic’s frustration in Seattle, it came on July 19 after he broke his foot kicking a water cooler.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 4, 2023

He filled a glass at the water cooler to water his beans.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

• water fountain