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 13 songs are packed with vivid lyrics that should serve as the ideal foundation for this visual album, further fueling Cyrus’ latest cauldron of creativity. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 5 June 2025 Looks like their new stadium will be a bit of a cauldron too. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 15 May 2025 Video of the blaze aired on the station showed a red brick building with windows offering interior views of a glowing cauldron of orange-tinged flames. Dennis Romero, NBC news, 13 May 2025 This traveling show blends smoke, elixirs, potions, bubbles, cauldrons, alcohol and mocktails for a unique drinking engagement. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cauldron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cauldron. Accessed 11 Jun. 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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