lemon squeezer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral, everyday
Quick answer
What does “lemon squeezer” mean?
A small kitchen tool, often made of glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic, designed to extract juice from lemons or other citrus fruits by pressing the fruit halves against a ridged dome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small kitchen tool, often made of glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic, designed to extract juice from lemons or other citrus fruits by pressing the fruit halves against a ridged dome.
The term can sometimes be used more broadly to refer to any manual device for extracting citrus juice, though its primary reference is to the specific handheld or tabletop tool with a conical, ridged centre and a bowl or base to catch the juice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or referent. The term 'lemon squeezer' is standard and common in both varieties. In the US, 'citrus press' or simply 'juicer' may be used more frequently for similar tools.
Connotations
Connotes a traditional, non-electric kitchen utensil, often associated with making fresh lemonade, salad dressings, or cocktails. No major connotative differences between UK and US.
Frequency
Moderately common in both varieties. More frequent in cooking/cocktail contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “lemon squeezer” in a Sentence
to squeeze juice [with a lemon squeezer]to use a lemon squeezer [for limes]to extract juice [using a lemon squeezer]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lemon squeezer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She bought a lemon-squeezer attachment for her mixer.
- We need a new lemon-squeezer jug.
American English
- The lemon-squeezer attachment is missing.
- It's a classic lemon-squeezer design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of kitchenware retail, product descriptions, and manufacturing.
Academic
Very rare; might appear in historical or design studies of domestic tools.
Everyday
Common in contexts of cooking, baking, making drinks, and household shopping.
Technical
Used in industrial design or kitchen utensil engineering specifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lemon squeezer”
- Confusing it with a 'garlic press' (similar mechanism but for garlic). Saying 'lemon juice squeezer' (redundant, as 'squeezer' implies juice).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Juicer' is a broader term that can refer to electric machines for various fruits and vegetables. A 'lemon squeezer' is a specific type of manual juicer designed primarily for citrus fruits like lemons and limes.
Yes, it works well for any citrus fruit of a similar size, such as limes or small oranges. For larger fruits like grapefruits, a larger citrus press would be more suitable.
A reamer is usually a pointed, ridged cone on a handle that you twist into the fruit half. A lemon squeezer typically has the reamer mounted inside a bowl or between two hinged arms, which catches the juice and provides mechanical leverage.
Most are dishwasher safe, but it's best to rinse under warm water immediately after use to prevent pulp from drying in the ridges. For stubborn pulp, use a small brush.
A small kitchen tool, often made of glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic, designed to extract juice from lemons or other citrus fruits by pressing the fruit halves against a ridged dome.
Lemon squeezer is usually neutral, everyday in register.
Lemon squeezer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlem.ən ˌskwiː.zər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlem.ən ˌskwiː.zɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LEMON being SQUEEZED. The tool does the action named in its compound: a 'squeezer' for 'lemons'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR FUNCTION (a transparent, literal compound noun).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a lemon squeezer?