1
a
: a usually rounded metal or earthen container used chiefly for domestic purposes (as in cooking or for holding liquids or growing plants)
also
: any of various technical or industrial vessels or enclosures resembling or likened to a household pot
the pot of a still
b
: potful
a pot of coffee
2
: an enclosed framework of wire, wood, or wicker for catching fish or lobsters
3
a
: a large amount (as of money)
b(1)
: the total of the bets at stake at one time
(2)
: one round in a poker game
c
: the common fund of a group
4
: potshot
5
: potbelly
6
: ruin
gone to pot
7
British
: a shot in snooker in which a ball is pocketed
8
potted; potting
1
a
: to place in a pot
b
: to pack or preserve (something, such as cooked and chopped meat) in a sealed pot, jar, or can often with aspic
2
: to shoot with a potshot
3
: to make or shape (earthenware) as a potter
4
: to embed (something, such as electronic components) in a container with an insulating or protective material (such as plastic)
: to take a potshot
1
potential
2
potentiometer
Synonyms
Examples of pot in a Sentence
Verb
She spent the afternoon potting tulip bulbs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
That could mean significant profits for pot businesses.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
For this, take equal parts sugar and pineapple juice and put it into a small pot over low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 May 2024
Canadian Premiere Join the Club, directed by Kip Andersen, Chris O’Connell (United States – Documentary)
Dennis Peron is San Francisco’s biggest pot dealer.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
The Biden administration’s rescheduling of marijuana could have a big financial impact on California pot businesses.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
In an 8- to 10-quart heavy pot, combine lemon-strawberry mixture and sugar.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
Fennel isn't a good companion for most garden vegetables and should be grown in a little patch or pot by itself.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 2 May 2024
Other than the multiple layers of dead sod the previous owner left behind, most of the soil seemed better for making clay pots than for growing garden plants.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2024
This includes merchandise and other sales unrelated to pot itself, such as pipes, rolling paper and clothes.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
Vendors will be at the garden on certain weekends selling plants, potting supplies and other items.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
Ferm Living’s Ura soy wax candle comes in three calming scents — lemongrass, fig and chamomile — and is potted in a terra-cotta vessel with an accompanying lid.
—Jamie Sims Angela Koh Caitie Kelly Gage Daughdrill Shannon Adducci Ella Riley-Adams Caitie Kelly Angela Koh, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Choose high-quality, well-draining potting mix with compost mixed in and keep it moist.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 1 May 2024
Plant your citronella plant in a container filled with fast-draining potting mix or a 1:1 mix of peat and perlite.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024
In a new pot (preferably 2-4 inches larger in diameter), add a fresh potting mix that contains coco coir, perlite, or vermiculite for optimum drainage.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
Brush away any potting mix that is clinging to the roots.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2024
Noun
Learn about growing your own fresh herb and spices in pots or in garden beds.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2024
That could mean significant profits for pot businesses.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
For this, take equal parts sugar and pineapple juice and put it into a small pot over low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 4 May 2024
Canadian Premiere Join the Club, directed by Kip Andersen, Chris O’Connell (United States – Documentary)
Dennis Peron is San Francisco’s biggest pot dealer.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
The Biden administration’s rescheduling of marijuana could have a big financial impact on California pot businesses.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
In an 8- to 10-quart heavy pot, combine lemon-strawberry mixture and sugar.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
Fennel isn't a good companion for most garden vegetables and should be grown in a little patch or pot by itself.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 2 May 2024
Other than the multiple layers of dead sod the previous owner left behind, most of the soil seemed better for making clay pots than for growing garden plants.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 19 Apr. 2024
Verb
Doubling as a conservatory, this gazebo sports one walled section where a mirror hangs and a potting bench showcases an orchid collection.
—Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 May 2024
This includes merchandise and other sales unrelated to pot itself, such as pipes, rolling paper and clothes.
—Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 3 May 2024
Vendors will be at the garden on certain weekends selling plants, potting supplies and other items.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
Ferm Living’s Ura soy wax candle comes in three calming scents — lemongrass, fig and chamomile — and is potted in a terra-cotta vessel with an accompanying lid.
—Jamie Sims Angela Koh Caitie Kelly Gage Daughdrill Shannon Adducci Ella Riley-Adams Caitie Kelly Angela Koh, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Choose high-quality, well-draining potting mix with compost mixed in and keep it moist.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 1 May 2024
Plant your citronella plant in a container filled with fast-draining potting mix or a 1:1 mix of peat and perlite.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024
In a new pot (preferably 2-4 inches larger in diameter), add a fresh potting mix that contains coco coir, perlite, or vermiculite for optimum drainage.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
Brush away any potting mix that is clinging to the roots.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pot
Cite this Entry
“Pot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pot. Accessed 8 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pot
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a deep rounded container for household purposes
cooking pot
b
: the quantity held by a pot
a pot of tea
2
: an enclosed trap for catching fish or lobsters
3
a
: a large quantity or sum
b
: the total of the bets at stake at one time
4
: ruin entry 1 sense 1
business went to pot
pot
2 of 3 verb
potted; potting
1
: to preserve in a sealed pot, jar, or can
2
: to plant or grow in a pot
pot
3 of 3 nounEtymology
Noun
perhaps from Mexican Spanish potiguaya "marijuana"
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