A SIEVE is a utensil with a mesh bottom used for separating solids from liquids or for straining, sifting, and ricing. It is typically made of metal or plastic and has a handle for easy use. Sieves are commonly used in the kitchen for tasks such as sifting flour, straining sauces, and ricing potatoes. They can also be used in other areas such as gardening for soil sifting and in laboratories for particle size analysis.