Calcutta

American  

[kal-kuht-uh] / kælˈkʌt ə /

noun

1. former name of Kolkata (but sometimes still used).

2. Also called Calcutta pool.  (sometimes lowercase) a form of betting pool for a competition or tournament, as golf or auto racing, in which gamblers bid for participating contestants in an auction, the proceeds from which are put into a pool for distribution, according to a prearranged scale of percentages, to those who selected winners.

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Calcutta British  

/ kælˈkʌtə /

noun

1. the former official name (still widely used) of Kolkata

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Calcutta Cultural  

1. Largest city in India, located in the eastern part of the country on the Hooghly River.

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Calcutta is one of the largest cities in the world and suffers from poverty, overcrowding, and unemployment.

Example Sentences

At one point, Russell, who has had plenty of Calcutta Cup run-ins with Farrell, aimed a gesture at the visitors suggesting they continue 'crying' over a penalty decision.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

"It is always tough backing up an emotional performance like a Calcutta Cup game," said Tuipulotu, with Scotland yet to finish higher than third in the Six Nations era.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

"While Calcutta 4 provides crucial genetic resistance, it isn't suitable as a commercial cultivar because it doesn't produce fruit which are good to eat," he said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

England travelled north for the latest Calcutta Cup clash on a 12-game winning streak whereas Scotland had lost all their previous seven Tests against teams ranked in the world's top 10.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

They all come from Calcutta, and for this reason alone they are friends.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri