drainer

A cook places the washed lettuce in a wire drainer over the sink.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device or container used for draining: A "drainer" is an object designed to allow liquid to flow away from solid items, typically used in kitchens for drying washed dishes, fruits, or vegetables.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She placed the washed plates on the drainer to dry. (A rack or surface that lets water drip off.)
  • The salad spinner acts as a drainer for excess water from lettuce. (A tool that removes liquid.)

Advanced Usage

• "as a drainer": functioning in the role of a draining device.

  • The colander served as a drainer for the pasta. (The colander allowed the water to escape.)

• "drainer board": a specific type of drainer, often part of a kitchen sink.

  • He set the wet cups on the drainer board. (A sloped surface where water runs off.)

Variants and Related Words

• Drain (v/n): to remove liquid from something; a pipe or channel for carrying away water.
  • Please drain the sink after washing. (Remove the water.)
• Drainable (adj): capable of being drained.
  • This pan is drainable because of its holes. (Liquid can be removed.)
• Draining (adj/participle): causing liquid to flow away.
  • The draining process took ten minutes. (The action of removing liquid.)

Synonyms

• Colander: a bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with holes used for draining.
• Strainer: a device with small holes or mesh for separating solids from liquids.
• Rack: a framework that holds items to allow air circulation and drainage.

Related Idioms

• "Down the drain": wasted or lost completely.
  • All his effort went down the drain because of the mistake. (Everything was wasted.)
• "Drain the swamp": to eliminate problems or corruption.
  • The new manager promised to drain the swamp of inefficiency. (Remove all issues.)