pot

1 of 4

noun (1)

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
5
6
: ruin
gone to pot
7
British : a shot in snooker in which a ball is pocketed
8
: a vessel for urination and defecation: such as
b
: potty

pot

2 of 4

verb

potted; potting

transitive verb

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)

intransitive verb

: to take a potshot

pot

3 of 4

noun (2)

pot

4 of 4

abbreviation

1
potential
2
potentiometer

Examples of pot in a Sentence

Noun (1) everyone got a bit nervous when the pot grew to more than a hundred dollars made a pot of money in the real estate market vowed that he would never get a pot, that telltale sign of middle age Verb She spent the afternoon potting tulip bulbs.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Since everything cooks in one pot, cleanup is easy too. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025 Make the curry paste: In a medium pot over medium heat, cook the oil, ginger, garlic, and onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Christine Wong, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Some of our favorites hiding in its end-of-summer sale include a fancy daybed, an inviting Adirondack chair set, a handy deck box, and a potting bench that’s perfect for narrow spaces. Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025 To pot Shasta Daisies, start by selecting a container with good drainage. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pot

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English pott; akin to Middle Low German pot pot

Noun (2)

perhaps modification of Mexican Spanish potiguaya

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pot was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pot. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

pot

1 of 3 noun
1
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 noun
Etymology

Noun

perhaps from Mexican Spanish potiguaya "marijuana"

Medical Definition

pot

1 of 2 noun
: a usually rounded container

pot

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on pot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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