cauldron

noun

caul·​dron ˈkȯl-drən 

variants or less commonly caldron

1

: a large kettle or boiler

2

: something resembling a boiling cauldron in intensity or degree of agitation

a cauldron of intense emotions

Examples of cauldron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After doing a little magic, Kufrin reaches into the cauldron and pulls out a series of sonogram images. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

Once embroiled in conflict, participants and spectators layer on more stories to make sense of their relationship to its violent cauldron. —Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

It’s housed in a minimal and matte cauldron-like vessel that will still look fashionable beyond October 31st. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2025

The cauldron was found near the discoverer's summer cottage — but officials are keeping the location under wraps until the investigation is complete. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English caudron, caldron, from Anglo-French cauderon, diminutive of caldere basin, from Late Latin caldaria, from feminine of Latin caldarius used for hot water, from calidus warm, from calēre to be warm — more at lee

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cauldron

• caldron

Kids Definition

cauldron

noun

caul·​dron

variants also caldron

ˈkȯl-drən

1

: a large kettle

2

: something resembling a boiling cauldron in intensity or degree of agitation

a cauldron of intense emotion

Etymology

Middle English caldron, cauldron "cauldron," from earlier cauderon (same meaning), derived from an early French dialect word caudiere "basin," derived from Latin calidus "warm," from calēre "to be hot" — related to calorie, nonchalant