cauldron

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noun caul·dron \ ˈkȯl-drən \

variants: or less commonly caldron

Definition 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

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Recent Examples of cauldron from the Web

This is where Muhammad Ali steadied his trembling hand to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony, where Michael Johnson ran to glory, where Carl Lewis closed out a brilliant career by soaring to one more gold medal.

— paul newberry, The Christian Science Monitor, "Don't call it a comeback: Georgia State's new stadium comes with old Olympic history," 28 Aug. 2017
This is where Muhammad Ali steadied his trembling hand to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony, where Michael Johnson ran to glory, where Carl Lewis closed out a brilliant career by soaring to one more gold medal.

— paul newberry, The Christian Science Monitor, "Don't call it a comeback: Georgia State's new stadium comes with old Olympic history," 28 Aug. 2017
This is where Muhammad Ali steadied his trembling hand to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony, where Michael Johnson ran to glory, where Carl Lewis closed out a brilliant career by soaring to one more gold medal.

— paul newberry, The Seattle Times, "Stadium Formerly Known as Turner Field begins a new chapter," 27 Aug. 2017
The torch was ultimately passed to the Aboriginal sprinter Cathy Freeman, who lit the cauldron.

— richard goldstein, New York Times, "Betty Cuthbert, Australia’s ‘Golden Girl’ of Track and Field, Dies at 79," 6 Aug. 2017
In years past, attendees might have glimpsed a faux alligator lurking among water lilies or a dragon standing over a cauldron full of flowers.

— cynthia billhartz gregorian, kansascity, "Focusing on fountains, fish, frogs and flowers," 2 July 2017
Especially since the Great Recession, U.S. cities have become simmering cauldrons of economic inequality.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: Here Comes the Health Plan," 22 June 2017
No wonder there’s a simmering cauldron of political anger, churning in those far-flung towns cut off by the interstates.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "I just drove coast-to-coast in 3.5 days. Here's what I learned," 19 June 2017
After months of caustic debates over President Trump, health care and investigations into Russia — battles that had turned the Capitol in a daily cauldron — there were calls for civility.

— jonathan tamari, Philly.com, "After shooting, hugs - and calls for civility - in Congress and calls for civility," 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cauldron.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cauldron

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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CAULDRON Defined for English Language Learners

cauldron

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noun

Definition of cauldron for English Language Learners

: a large pot

CAULDRON Defined for Kids

cauldron

noun caul·dron

variants: also caldron \ˈkȯl-drən\

Definition of cauldron for Students

:a large kettle

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cauldron

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cauldron

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