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
: potshot
5
: potbelly
6
: ruin
gone to pot
7
British
: a shot in snooker in which a ball is pocketed
8
see also:
potted; potting
1
a
: to place in a pot
pot a plant
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)
: to take a potshot
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
Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
The hushed buzz of clinking Champagne glasses or afternoon tea pots pouring steaming cups comes from the adjacent lobby lounge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
In the Mayflower Athletic Conference, TJ Willis potted a pair of goals and dished out an assist as Southeastern defeated rival Blue Hills, 7-3.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pot
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show current usage.
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Noun
Your succulent's pot is important.
—Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 12 May 2026
The hushed buzz of clinking Champagne glasses or afternoon tea pots pouring steaming cups comes from the adjacent lobby lounge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 May 2026
Verb
The flower pots themselves can be a beautiful design feature that complements your fence.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
In the Mayflower Athletic Conference, TJ Willis potted a pair of goals and dished out an assist as Southeastern defeated rival Blue Hills, 7-3.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pot
Cite this Entry
“Pot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pot. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pot
1 of 3 noun1
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 nounEtymology
Noun
perhaps from Mexican Spanish potiguaya "marijuana"
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