: one that strains: such as
a
: a device (such as a sieve) to retain solid pieces while a liquid passes through
b
: any of various devices for stretching or tightening something
Examples of strainer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rather than propose a single fix, the report recommends stacking multiple safety measures—testing before release, monitoring after, tracking incidents—so that what slips through one layer gets caught by the next, like water through a series of increasingly fine strainers.
—
Harry Booth, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Strain sauce through fine-mesh strainer set over large bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl.
—Hailee Catalano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strainer
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Harry Booth, Time, 3 Feb. 2026
Strain sauce through fine-mesh strainer set over large bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer into a large bowl.
—Hailee Catalano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Jan. 2026
Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for strainer
Cite this Entry
“Strainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strainer. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
strainer
noun
strain·er
ˈstrā-nər 
: one that strains
especially
: a device (as a screen or filter) to hold solid pieces while a liquid passes through
Medical Definition
strainer
noun
strain·er
ˈstrā-nər
: a device (as a sieve) to retain solid pieces while a liquid passes through
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