cauldron

noun

caul·​dron ˈkȯl-drən How to pronounce cauldron (audio)
variants or less commonly caldron
Synonyms of cauldron
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Georgia State University has announced a plan to move the cauldron, the top portion of the Olympic flame, from Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood to Centennial Olympic Park. Nila Roper, AJC.com, 13 June 2026 Amid a cauldron of noise, Messi was off the bench and onto the field of play. Ben Church, CNN Money, 10 June 2026 Most fans respond positively Elite sports can be a cauldron of stress. Scott Parrott, The Conversation, 26 May 2026 Others have pointed out that while Gold interviews well and has impressed teams that have considered him for GM positions over the years, his experience dealing with the sort of media scrutiny that exists in a cauldron like the Vancouver market is limited. Thomas Drance, New York Times, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cauldron

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cauldron was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cauldron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cauldron. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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

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