English Reference

Word

cooper

Phoneticscoop·er

US/ˈkupɝ/

UK/kˈuːpɐ/

Definitions

01barrel maker

C2

n. a person who makes or repairs wooden barrels and buckets.

n. a craftsman skilled in the construction and repair of wooden staved vessels, including barrels, casks, and tubs.

“The museum had a workshop where a cooper showed how to build a barrel.”

“Historically, the cooper was an essential member of any maritime community, ensuring that water and salted meats remained sealed in airtight casks.”

Technical

Usage

The term is now largely restricted to historical contexts or specialized artisanal industries like whiskey aging.

Synonyms

barrel-maker

02to make barrels

C2

v. to make or fix wooden barrels.

v. to perform the work of a cooper; to construct or repair staved wooden containers.

“He spent his life learning how to cooper barrels for the local vineyard.”

“The apprentice spent three years learning to cooper before he was allowed to work on the large wine vats.”

Archaic

Usage

Usually used as an intransitive verb in historical descriptions of the trade.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference