váko

Víko is a noun in Czech and Slovak meaning a lid or cover that closes the opening of a container, such as a pot, pan, jar, chest, or box. Lids are used to seal contents, preserve heat and moisture, protect contents from dust, and sometimes to regulate ventilation. In kitchenware, víko is commonly made of metal, glass, or ceramic and may include a handle or knob. Some lids are vented to release steam, while others aim for a tight, airtight seal.

Beyond cookware, víko can refer to the moving or fixed top of containers or furniture, for example the lid of a chest or a cabinet. The diminutive form víčko denotes a smaller lid or cover, such as the cap on a cosmetic jar or a bottle.

Etymology and cognates: víko is native to Czech and Slovak. Cognates appear in other West Slavic languages, such as Polish wieko. The term is part of everyday vocabulary for objects with a removable or hinged top.

See also: lid, cover, cap. Translations: English—lid or cover; German—Deckel; Polish—wieko; Russian—not a direct cognate in common use but a parallel term for a lid involving containers.