dewar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “dewar” mean?
A double-walled container designed to hold liquids at a constant, often very low, temperature for extended periods by minimising heat transfer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A double-walled container designed to hold liquids at a constant, often very low, temperature for extended periods by minimising heat transfer.
A type of insulating flask, especially one used in scientific and industrial contexts to store cryogenic liquids like liquid nitrogen or liquid helium. It often refers to the cylindrical storage vessels used in laboratories.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical, associated with laboratory or industrial science.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “dewar” in a Sentence
[verb] + dewar (e.g., fill, empty, transport, store in)dewar + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., dewar of nitrogen)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in supply/logistics for industrial gases and laboratory equipment.
Academic
Common in physics, chemistry, and engineering texts and labs.
Everyday
Virtually never used; 'thermos' or 'flask' is preferred.
Technical
The primary context; refers to specific scientific storage equipment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dewar”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dewar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dewar”
- Mispronouncing as /diːˈwɑːr/ or /ˈdeɪwɑːr/.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to dewar something').
- Confusing it with a general-purpose thermos.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They operate on the same vacuum insulation principle, but a 'dewar' typically refers to larger, more robust containers for scientific or industrial use, often for cryogenics, while a 'thermos' is a consumer brand and general term for a vacuum flask.
No, 'dewar' is exclusively a noun. It is not standard to use it as a verb (e.g., 'to dewar a liquid').
It is named after its Scottish inventor, Sir James Dewar, who invented the vacuum flask in 1892.
It is most common in fields dealing with low-temperature physics and chemistry, such as cryogenics, superconductivity, and certain branches of engineering and biology.
A double-walled container designed to hold liquids at a constant, often very low, temperature for extended periods by minimising heat transfer.
Dewar is usually technical/scientific in register.
Dewar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdjuːə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈduːər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Sir James DEWAR, who invented it. 'DEW' is cold and wet, like the liquids it holds.
Conceptual Metaphor
A THERMOS IS A DEWAR (everyday item named after the scientific prototype).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'dewar' primarily designed to do?