Which lab glassware is primarily used for measuring volumes?

The graduated cylinder is specifically designed for measuring the volume of liquids accurately. It features a tall, narrow shape with marked graduations along its length, allowing for precise volume measurements. This design helps to minimize the meniscus effect, where the curvature of the liquid surface can lead to reading inaccuracies.

While beakers can hold liquids and serve as mixing containers, they are not designed for precise volume measurement. Their wider, shorter structure can lead to greater measurement errors. Pipettes are excellent for transferring specific volumes of liquids but are not used for measuring larger volumes like a graduated cylinder can. Volumetric flasks are used for preparing solutions at a specific volume but are not typically used for measuring out unknown liquid volumes in a flexible manner. Thus, for the task of measuring volumes directly and with precision, the graduated cylinder is the most appropriate choice.