cauldron

noun

caul·​dron ˈkȯl-drən 

variants or less commonly caldron

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

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

Haliburton, the star Indiana Pacers point guard, appeared to have missed the attempt that would pierce their hearts, turn their stomachs into mush and transform their minds into a cauldron of rage. —Sean Gregory, Time, 22 May 2025

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

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

Rhymes for cauldron

• caldron

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