A beaker is a cylindrical container with a flat bottom, an open top, and straight sides used in laboratory equipment). It is commonly made of glass, but can also be made of metal or certain plastics). Beakers are used for a variety of purposes in chemical, biological, clinical, and industrial laboratories, including:

• Holding and mixing liquids)
• Preparing solutions)
• Performing reactions)
• Containing and decanting fluids)
• Collecting filtrates from filtering operations
• Catching liquids
• Storing and mixing solid samples
• Measuring liquid volumes)

Beakers typically have a spout to facilitate pouring and often have graduations to give an approximate indication of the volume of liquid contained). They are available in a wide range of sizes, from one milliliter up to several liters). Beakers are distinguished from flasks by having straight rather than sloping sides).