trivet

IPA/ˈtrɪvɪt/
IPA/ˈtrɪvɪt/

trivet — noun

  • trivetsingular
  • trivetsplural

1. A small flat object, often made of metal, wood, or silicone, that you put under

1.nounB1
Definition

A small flat object, often made of metal, wood, or silicone, that you put under a hot pot, pan, or dish to stop it from burning the table or counter.

Example

Jiwoo placed the hot cast-iron pan on a wooden trivet before serving dinner.

place [hot object] on [material] trivet

The ceramic trivet that Élise bought at the market has a beautiful floral pattern.

ceramic / wooden / metal trivet

Common collocations
  • place a trivet
  • use a trivet
  • wooden trivet
  • silicone trivet
  • metal trivet
  • under a hot pot
Synonyms
  • hot pad

    American English term for a thick fabric or silicone square used for the same purpose; 'trivet' often implies a rigid stand with short feet.

  • stand

    More general — a trivet is a specific type of stand, but 'stand' can refer to many other objects.

Usage Note

Trivets are often made of heat-resistant materials such as metal, cork, wood, or silicone.

Common Mistakes

I put the mug on a trivet to catch the condensation.
I put the mug on a coaster to catch the condensation.
A trivet is for heat protection, not for absorbing moisture from cold drinks.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These four items all protect a table surface, but each has a different purpose. A trivet is designed to block heat from hot cookware — it is often made of metal, wood, or silicone and may have short feet so air can circulate underneath. A coaster is smaller and meant for cold drinks, absorbing condensation or preventing water rings. A place mat is a flat piece of fabric or plastic that covers the area where a plate sits, protecting the table from food spills rather than heat. A hot pad (or 'pot holder') is a thick, flexible fabric square used for holding or setting down hot pans, whereas a trivet is typically a rigid stand. Choosing the wrong one — using a coaster under a hot casserole dish, for example — will not provide enough heat protection.

trivet ↗coaster ↗place mathot pad ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • set on a trivet
  • rest on a trivet

Prepositions

  • on a trivet
  • under a trivet

Etymology

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2