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DictionarykegSmall barrel
noun

keg

KEG/keɡ/

A small barrel for holding liquids.

The small keg rests in its cradle with a tap ready for use.

A small wooden beer keg resting horizontally on a simple cradle, with a fitted tap and one ordinary beer mug beside it to establish its compact size and use.
Etymology
kegOld Norsekeg, cask

The word comes from a Scandinavian source such as Old Norse kaggi, “cask,” whose deeper origin is unknown. The specific beer-container sense narrows that older general meaning to a small or half barrel.

In context

Doug Piper41:17
the argument being the quicker you got the keg back to the brewery you could fill it up again and get it out again
Lager Beer - Demystifying Brewing and Fermentation Best Practices

More examples

  • They rolled two kegs into the cellar.
  • The empty keg was lighter than expected.
  • A keg of cider stood beside the serving table.

Forms

keg · kegs

Similar words

barrel
Usually larger and not necessarily intended for serving drinks.
cask
Cask is a broader term for a barrel-like storage container.