kettle

noun ket·tle \ ˈke-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Definition of kettle

1 : a metallic vessel usually used for boiling liquids; especially : teakettle

2 : kettledrum

3 a : pothole 1b

b : a steep-sided hollow without surface drainage especially in a deposit of glacial drift

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Recent Examples of kettle from the Web

Dump half of the chimney’s contents in a heap banked against one side of your kettle.

— marian bull, GQ, "—Peter Meehan, Author Of An Upcoming Barbecue Book And Former Editor Of," 27 June 2018
Anyone wishing sip tea and nibble scones while watching the nuptials live will have to boil the kettle early.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Set the alarm early for live royal wedding watch parties in Naperville," 16 May 2018
So fire up your own coffee kettle and dig into the menu of tidbits assembled below.

— ed silverman, STAT, "Pharmalittle: Bristol drops studies in experimental cancer med; doctor convicted for giving patient info to sales rep;," 1 May 2018
His recipe is made fresh daily in 50-gallon kettles.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Ben’s secret to great matzo ball soup," 6 Apr. 2018
Vendors will sell soft serve ice cream, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cake, kettle corn, cotton candy and pizza, Bryan said.

— leah brennan, Columbia Flier, "Yes, there's an app for Howard's sparkling July 4 fireworks," 25 June 2018
This kettle boils enough water for two dehydrated meals.

— emily reed, Outside Online, "Why I Love Collapsible Camping Gear," 18 June 2018
Food vendors outside the complex were selling lemon shake-ups and kettle corn and dip-n-dots, and the weather felt appropriate for the State Fair in August than for a few days into June.

— matthew vantryon, Indianapolis Star, "At the Unified track meet, everyone wins. 'The inclusion revolution is happening.'," 2 June 2018
The market runs from 2 to 6 p.m. Teas, herbs, annuals, perennials, cut flowers, fresh bakery, butter, eggs, fish, meats, cheese, salad dressing, salsa, jam, jellies, honey, cider, kettle corn will be available.

— hannah kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Mukwonago Farmers Market opens May 16," 14 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of kettle

Middle English ketel, from Old Norse ketill (akin to Old English cietel kettle), both from a prehistoric Germanic word borrowed from Latin catillus, diminutive of catinus bowl

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year