Erlenmeyer flask

noun

Er·​len·​mey·​er flask ˈər-lən-ˌmī(-ə)r- How to pronounce Erlenmeyer flask (audio) ˈer-lən- How to pronounce Erlenmeyer flask (audio)
: a flat-bottomed conical laboratory flask

Illustration of Erlenmeyer flask

Illustration of erlenmeyer flask

Examples of Erlenmeyer flask in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The kitty-that-isn’t-a-cat is depicted as a chemist holding an Erlenmeyer flask and test tube; as an astronaut in her space-walking white EVA suit or as an Endeavour pilot wearing her Advanced Crew Escape Suit for liftoff (with matching orange hair bow, of course), among other scenarios. Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2021 Invented by chemist Peter Schlumbohm in 1941, the classic coffee maker, with its wood and leather collar, was inspired by both the Erlenmeyer flask and Bauhaus-era design, and is part of MoMA’s permanent collection. Lesley Kennedy, CNN Underscored, 3 Mar. 2021 Suddenly my brain was filled with visions of hand rolls bursting with DNA helices and gene sequences served alongside an Erlenmeyer flask instead of a tokkuri of sake. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 13 July 2011

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Erlenmeyer flask.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Emil Erlenmeyer

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Erlenmeyer flask was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near Erlenmeyer flask

Cite this Entry

“Erlenmeyer flask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Erlenmeyer%20flask. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Erlenmeyer flask

noun
Er·​len·​mey·​er flask ˌər-lən-ˌmī(-ə)r- How to pronounce Erlenmeyer flask (audio)
ˌer-lən-
: a flat-bottomed laboratory flask that tapers upward to a straight neck
Etymology

named for Emil Erlenmeyer 1825–1909 German chemist

Medical Definition

Erlenmeyer flask

noun
Er·​len·​mey·​er flask ˌər-lən-ˌmī(-ə)r- How to pronounce Erlenmeyer flask (audio) ˌer-lən- How to pronounce Erlenmeyer flask (audio)
: a flat-bottomed conical flask whose shape allows the contents to be swirled without danger of spilling
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