dewar flask: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/TechnicalTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “dewar flask” mean?
A double-walled, vacuum-insulated container used to store substances at very low or very high temperatures for extended periods.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A double-walled, vacuum-insulated container used to store substances at very low or very high temperatures for extended periods.
The scientific precursor to the common thermos or vacuum flask; often used in laboratory and industrial contexts for cryogenic storage, particularly of liquefied gases like liquid nitrogen or helium.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically. It is a highly technical term with no regional variation in meaning.
Connotations
Purely scientific/industrial; no informal connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech. Used almost exclusively in scientific, engineering, and industrial settings in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “dewar flask” in a Sentence
store [liquid nitrogen] in a Dewar flasktransfer [the sample] from the Dewar flaskthe Dewar flask is filled with [helium]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dewar flask” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The liquefied gas was dewarred for transport.
- (Note: 'to dewar' as a verb is extremely rare and jargonistic.)
American English
- They need to dewar the sample before analysis.
- (Note: same rare usage.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The Dewar-like construction was effective.
- We examined the Dewar flask's vacuum seal.
American English
- The design followed Dewar principles.
- Check the Dewar vessel's pressure rating.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in businesses dealing with scientific equipment or cryogenics.
Academic
Common in chemistry, physics, engineering, and materials science papers and labs.
Everyday
Virtually never used; 'thermos' is the everyday term.
Technical
The primary context. Used in manuals, research, and industrial processes involving temperature control.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dewar flask”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dewar flask”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dewar flask”
- Pronouncing it as 'DEW-war' (correct is 'DUE-er' or 'DOO-er').
- Using it to refer to any insulated bottle (overly specific).
- Misspelling as 'Dewer flask'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in principle. A Thermos brand flask is a commercial, everyday application of the scientific Dewar flask design. 'Dewar flask' is the technical term, while 'thermos' is the genericised trademark for domestic use.
It is named after its Scottish inventor, Sir James Dewar, who created the first vacuum-insulated vessel in 1892.
Liquefied gases at cryogenic temperatures (e.g., liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, liquid oxygen) or, less commonly, very hot substances that need to be kept hot.
Yes. The vacuum insulation significantly reduces heat transfer, so it is equally effective at maintaining high temperatures for hot liquids or materials.
A double-walled, vacuum-insulated container used to store substances at very low or very high temperatures for extended periods.
Dewar flask is usually technical/scientific in register.
Dewar flask: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdjuːə ˌflɑːsk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈduːər ˌflæsk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None (highly technical term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Dewar keeps it cooler' – the vacuum in the flask stops heat transfer, maintaining temperature.
Conceptual Metaphor
A THERMOS IS A TEMPERATURE BATTERY (it stores cold or heat).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a Dewar flask?