caulk

or calk

[ kawk ]
See synonyms for: caulkcaulking on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to fill or close seams or crevices of (a tank, window, etc.) in order to make watertight, airtight, etc.

  2. to make (a vessel) watertight by filling the seams between the planks with oakum or other material driven snug.

  1. to fill or close (a seam, joint, etc.), as in a boat.

  2. to drive the edges of (plating) together to prevent leakage.

noun
  1. Also caulk·ing [kaw-king]. /ˈkɔ kɪŋ/. a material or substance used for caulking.

Origin of caulk

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin calcāre “to trample, tread on” (verb derivative of calx “heel”), conflated with Middle English cauken, from Old French cauquer “to trample,” from Latin calcāre, as above

Words Nearby caulk

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use caulk in a sentence

  • Silicone sealants and caulks help insulate buildings and make them waterproof.

  • The beginner should start at the trap and caulk the joints with the trap held in place.

    Elements of Plumbing | Samuel Dibble
  • Half a dozen words from you would caulk up the leaking hull of your friendship.

    Cursed | George Allan England
  • Already great progress had been made with her; oakum sufficient to caulk her was formed from old cables and ropes.

    The Settlers | William H. G. Kingston
  • I guess I will do a caulk, mate, for I'm mighty dozy; but I'll only take the nap on one condition.

    Motor Matt's Daring Rescue | Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for caulk

caulk

calk

/ (kɔːk) /


verb
  1. to stop up (cracks, crevices, etc) with a filler

  2. nautical to pack (the seams) between the planks of the bottom of (a vessel) with waterproof material to prevent leakage

Origin of caulk

1
C15: from Old Northern French cauquer to press down, from Latin calcāre to trample, from calx heel

Derived forms of caulk

  • caulker or calker, noun

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