1
: a large cask or barrel
2
: any of various units of capacity
especially : a U.S. unit equal to 63 gallons (238 liters)

Examples of hogshead in a Sentence

the ship's hold carried 164 hogsheads of molasses
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.
It was aged for the majority of those years in refill hogsheads and butts, and then finished for more than a year in Oloroso sherry casks. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024 The younger is the superior whisky (although both are excellent), aged for nearly 20 years in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and hogsheads and bottled at a strong 57.6 percent ABV. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hogshead was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hogshead

Cite this Entry

“Hogshead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hogshead. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

hogshead

noun
1
: a large cask or barrel
2
: any of various units of capacity
especially : a U.S. unit for liquids equal to 63 gallons (about 238 liters)

More from Merriam-Webster on hogshead

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