potter's wheel

American

noun

a device with a rotating horizontal disk upon which clay is molded by a potter.

potter's wheel British

noun

a device with a horizontal rotating disc, on which clay is shaped into pots, bowls, etc, by hand

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of potter's wheel

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Often he would wake up to the rhythmic sound of his father at work at his potter's wheel.

From BBC • May 26, 2025

For the 46-year-old L.A. ceramist, pottery has been an enduring love affair since her first potter’s wheel lesson with teacher John Smolenski at Skaneateles High School in New York.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2023

Subtle rings from a potter’s wheel made when a piece is thrown, traces from fingertips pinching and sealing the clay together, brush strokes of glaze applied.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2022

It’s not clear who trained him on the potter’s wheel.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2021

Under the deep eaves at the back, Min kept his potter’s wheel.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023