firkin

noun

ˈfər-kən How to pronounce firkin (audio)
Definition of firkinnext
as in barrel
an enclosed wooden vessel for holding beverages the innkeeper opened up a firkin of his special ale for the weary travelers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of firkin Free beer, root beer while supplies last on first day of each stop The first day the beer garden arrives at each location, there will be a firkin tapping with free beer, and also free root beer, while supplies last. — Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023 Artwork will be displayed in The Loft alongside a fiery firkin keg. — Anchorage Daily News, 4 Feb. 2021 For the uninitiated, firkins are traditionally wooden casks that hold some of the most interesting beer going these days, so come thirsty. — Nick Vadala, Philly.com, 31 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for firkin
  1. barrel
  2. keg
  3. cask
Noun
  • Yet even as the flows of crude from the Middle East have increased, oil remains near $100 a barrel.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The president withdrew consideration for a ban after the Group of Seven agreed last week to release up to 100 million barrels of oil and diesel from its emergency stocks.
    — Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of barrel
Noun
  • Many pounds of food stored overnight in the flip-top cooler and keg cooler got sent to the trash by a Stop Sale for temperature abuse.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The newest campus parties trade the keg for wellness activities like group runs, cold plunges, HIIT, yoga, Pilates and stretching.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of keg
Noun
  • Blue Label, however, is expensive and more limited for a reason—according to the brand, just one in 10,000 casks will make it into a bottle.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For instance, say a cask of ginger rolls through a trapdoor and lands on a poor laborer below.
    — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of cask

Browse Nearby Words

firing (up)
firkin
firkins
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Firkin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/firkin. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All