blender

Everyday

1. A blender is an electric kitchen machine with sharp spinning blades that mixes and chops food into a smooth liquid, like a smoothie or soup. tree →
2. A blender is also anything or anyone that blends or mixes things. tree →

In the lessons

Everyday and safety: blenders are used for smoothies, milkshakes and soups. The blades are very sharp: never put hands or spoons in while it is plugged in; keep the lid on; an adult should help; unplug before cleaning. In science, blending shows mixing; you can compare solid fruit and blended liquid. Phrases: «put it in the blender», «blend until smooth», «stick blender», «hand blender».

Examples

• We made a banana smoothie in the blender. tree →
• Put the lid on before you switch on the blender. tree →
• Never put your fingers near the blender blades. tree →
• Unplug the blender before you wash it. tree →
• Dad blended the soup until it was smooth. tree →
• The blender was very noisy. tree →
• My sister uses a stick blender for baby food. tree →

Note

Countable: «a blender, blenders». Verb: «blend, blended». A blender is not the same as a mixer (which beats and stirs, for cakes) or a food processor (which chops and slices). In the US «blender» is very common; in the UK people also say «liquidiser».