bucket

A bucket is a portable, open-top container used for carrying liquids or solids. It is typically cylindrical or slightly tapered and equipped with a handle or bail for carrying. Buckets are commonly made of metal, plastic, or wood, and may include a pouring lip to aid emptying.

Common materials and construction features include galvanized steel or aluminum for metal buckets, high-density polyethylene or other plastics for lightweight options, and wooden staves bound by metal hoops for traditional buckets. Household buckets often have a flat bottom and integrate a spout or pouring edge. Handles can be rigid metal wires or molded plastic grips. Some buckets are lined or treated to resist corrosion or staining.

Sizes range from about 1 liter to 20 liters for everyday use, with larger industrial buckets used in farming, construction, or mining. Typical uses include carrying water, cleaning, gardening, mixing substances, and transporting bulk materials. Special-purpose buckets include ice buckets for beverages and sand or toy buckets for children. In industrial contexts, "bucket" also denotes a scoop attached to equipment such as a crane or excavator, used to move bulk materials.

History and terminology: The concept of a portable vessel for carrying liquids is ancient, and wooden or metal buckets have long been used in households and industry. The modern term "bucket" entered English in the Middle English period and has since become a general term for both hand-carried containers and machine scoops.