strainer - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

A kitchen strainer (1).

A sink strainer (2).

From Middle English strener, streynour, strenyour, equivalent to strain +‎ -er.

strainer (plural strainers)

  1. A device through which a liquid is passed for purification, filtering or separation from solid matter; anything (including a screen or a cloth) used to strain a liquid.
    Synonym: sile
  2. A perforated screen or openwork (usually at the end of a suction pipe of a pump), used to prevent solid bodies from mixing in a liquid stream or flowline.
  3. Debris in water that blocks the passage of solid objects.
    • 2010, Kevin L. Erskine, Erica J. Armstrong, Water-Related Death Investigation, page 99:
      A strainer is something on the surface of the water that allows water to pass through it but not solid objects, like boats and people. Strainers are likely to consist of fallen trees, old fencing, guardrails […]
  4. One who strains.
    • 2008, Kirby I. Bland, Michael G. Sarr, Markus W. Büchler, General Surgery: Principles and International Practice, page 843:
      An important factor with respect to recurrence [of rectal prolapse] is the fact that many of these patients are chronic strainers.

utensil — see also sieve