A keg is a small barrel, typically made of metal, used to store and serve liquids.

You're most likely to encounter kegs in historical contexts or when learning about how people stored things before modern refrigeration. In colonial times, kegs held everything from nails and gunpowder to salted fish and cider. Ships' crews stored fresh water in kegs during long voyages. A keg was the right size to carry and roll around, unlike huge barrels that needed special equipment to move.

Today, kegs still serve practical purposes in various industries. Restaurants and businesses use kegs to store and dispense beverages. The metal construction helps keep contents fresh and makes the container reusable and durable.

The size of a keg varies, but it's generally smaller than a full barrel, making it easier to handle and transport. When you read about historical periods or visit museums, you'll often see kegs displayed as examples of how people stored and moved goods before plastic containers and modern shipping methods existed.