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

History: Today marks 28 years since sports icon and Louisville legend Muhammad Ali lit the cauldron at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and although the games were later marred by tragedy, many remember the triumph of Ali's appearance. —Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 19 July 2024

Not the urban cauldrons of countless ethnicities, languages and cultures, but the exurbs and rural communities that call to mind an idyllic fantasy of small-town neighborliness and front doors left unlocked, because everyone trusts everyone. —Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 14 July 2024

In Detroit Lakes, a troll named Alexa holds a large wooden spoon over a recipe book and a cauldron, while a troll called Ronny Funny Face pokes his tongue out at anyone who stumbles across him in the woods. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 9 July 2024

The flame, which has been traveling in a relay ever since, will light the cauldron to mark the opening for the Summer Games. —Gawon Bae, CNN, 3 July 2024

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

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