strainer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral; common in domestic and technical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “strainer” mean?
A kitchen or industrial device with perforations or mesh used to separate solids from liquids, such as in draining pasta or filtering impurities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A kitchen or industrial device with perforations or mesh used to separate solids from liquids, such as in draining pasta or filtering impurities.
Anything that filters or sifts out elements; metaphorically, a person or system that scrutinizes or refines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both variants use 'strainer' similarly.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both British and American English, primarily associated with filtering or draining.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects, especially in cooking and technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “strainer” in a Sentence
noun + of + noun (e.g., strainer of liquids)verb + strainer (e.g., use a strainer)adjective + strainer (e.g., fine strainer)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strainer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She strained the tea to remove the leaves.
- They strained the mixture through a cloth.
American English
- He strained the pasta in the sink.
- We need to strain the broth before serving.
adjective
British English
- The strained relationship made cooperation difficult.
- Her voice sounded strained with effort.
American English
- After the accident, he had a strained expression.
- The strained muscles required rest.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in contexts like quality assurance or production processes involving filtration.
Academic
Used in engineering, chemistry, or culinary studies when discussing filtration or separation techniques.
Everyday
Common in domestic settings for cooking, such as draining pasta or straining tea.
Technical
In industrial or laboratory settings for filtering liquids or gases, e.g., in plumbing or chemical processes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strainer”
- Misspelling as 'straner' or 'strainor'; confusing with 'strain' as a verb; using 'strainer' when 'sieve' or 'colander' is more appropriate based on hole size.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A strainer typically has larger holes for draining liquids, while a sieve has finer mesh for sifting dry ingredients like flour.
Yes, it can refer to any system or person that filters out unnecessary elements, such as information or impurities.
Yes, it is equally common and used similarly in both dialects, with no significant variations.
In American English, it is pronounced as /ˈstreɪnər/, with stress on the first syllable and a rhotic 'r' sound at the end.
A kitchen or industrial device with perforations or mesh used to separate solids from liquids, such as in draining pasta or filtering impurities.
Strainer is usually neutral; common in domestic and technical contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “put through a strainer”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'strain' as in to filter or separate, and '-er' as a thing that does that, so a strainer is a tool for straining.
Conceptual Metaphor
A system or person that filters out impurities or irrelevant information, akin to a physical strainer.
Practice
Quiz
What is a strainer primarily used for?