# Cooper

/ˈkupɝ/ (US) · /kˈuːpɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cooper
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. barrel maker

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a person who makes or repairs wooden barrels and buckets.

For teachers: 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.

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

### 2. to make barrels

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

to make or fix wooden barrels.

For teachers: 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.

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

## Examples

- The cooper carefully fits the wooden pieces together to make a barrel.
- The local distillery still employs a traditional cooper to maintain the oak barrels used for aging whiskey.
- While industrial manufacturing replaced most hand-crafted containers, the specialized skill of the cooper remains essential for creating the airtight vessels required for premium viticulture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.