shak·er / ˈshākər/ • n. 1. a container used for mixing ingredients by shaking: a cocktail shaker. ∎  a container with a pierced top from which a powdered substance such as flour or salt is poured by shaking.2. (Shaker) a member of an American religious sect, the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming, established in England c.1750 and living simply in celibate mixed communities. ∎  [as adj.] denoting a style of elegantly functional furniture traditionally produced by Shaker communities.DERIVATIVES: Shak·er·ism / -ˌrizəm/ n. (in sense 2).

Shaker a member of an American religious sect, the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Coming, established in England c.1750 and living simply in celibate mixed communities, so named from the wild, ecstatic movements engaged in during worship. The first of the American communities was founded by Ann Lee (1736–84), who emigrated from England in 1774.