cauldron

noun

caul·​dron ˈkȯl-drən How to pronounce cauldron (audio)
variants or less commonly
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.
The tomb's roof was collapsed, but objects inside remained intact, including bronze vessels used during banquets, iron rods, a pair of large bronze cauldrons and assorted smaller bronze cauldrons, jugs and bowls, according to a news release. Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 2025 Lively Feud: Lively Shares ‘Gratitude’ On Instagram After Baldoni’s Lawsuit Is Dismissed Oil and gas production is one ingredient in the cauldron of uncertainties because 35% of New Mexico’s revenue comes from the Delaware basin. Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 But her career extends beyond the cauldron, with roles in family favorites like Sydney to the Max (2019–2021) and Lopez vs Lopez (2022). EW.com, 7 June 2025 Xenophobia has always colored this nation’s past crackdowns on immigration legal and not, but the Golden State became a noxious cauldron whose anti-immigrant fumes have infested Americans in a way not seen in a century. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Cauldron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cauldron. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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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