caulk

1 of 3

verb

variants or calk
caulked or calked; caulking or calking; caulks or calks

transitive verb

: to stop up and make tight against leakage (something, such as a boat or its seams, the cracks in a window frame, or the joints of a pipe)
caulker noun

caulk

2 of 3

noun (1)

variants or calk or less commonly caulking or calking
: material used to caulk

caulk

3 of 3

noun (2)

variant spelling of calk entry 2, calk entry 3

: a cleat on the shoe of a horse to prevent slipping
also : a similar device worn on the sole of a shoe

Examples of caulk in a Sentence

Verb He carefully caulked the area around the windows.
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.
Verb
The losing side is likely to caulk off the outcome to a rigged system. Chris Jackson, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 Furthermore, cleaning the shower often provides the opportunity to inspect caulking for cracks. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2024
Noun
This includes using caulk, insulation foam or backer rods to close any gaps in your foundation, windows or door frames. Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024 Seal them with caulk, polyurethane spray foam, steel wool, or copper mesh. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for caulk 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English caulken, from Anglo-French cauker, calcher, chalcher to trample, from Latin calcare, from calc-, calx heel

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caulk was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near caulk

Cite this Entry

“Caulk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caulk. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

caulk

verb
variants or calk
ˈkȯk
: to fill up a crack, seam, or joint so as to make it watertight
caulker noun

More from Merriam-Webster on caulk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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