a large cooking pot
soup cooked in such a pot
an individual covered casserole for serving soup
military a container used to bring food to troops in the field
1795–1805; < French, Middle French, apparently equivalent to mar ( m )-, base of marmotter to mutter, murmur ( see marmot) + mite expressive word for a cat; probably originally a jocular or nursery word, a deep, covered pot being thought of as secretive and hence catlike in comparison to an open pan; compare Old French marmite hypocritical
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Stir in the butter and marmite, adding a little of the pasta water to loosen if need be.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2023
“Boris Johnson was a marmite politician” said David Simmonds, a Conservative lawmaker in the neighboring area of Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, referring to a salty, yeasty paste that Britons tend to either love or hate.
From New York Times ● Jul. 18, 2023
A number of popular items, including marmite and cream cheese, have faced scarcities amid supply chain disruptions wrought by the coronavirus pandemic and extreme weather.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 8, 2022
"A bit of a marmite," is how Harrington described Poulter, using a British term for a person who people either love or hate.
From Fox News ● Sep. 22, 2021
Balch, a little more of that petite marmite.
From The Triumph Of Night 1916 by Wharton, Edith
Other popular brands include Marmite yeast extract and Colman’s mustard.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026
The British-Dutch company confirmed the news on Friday following media speculation that it had received an inbound offer for its “highly attractive” food unit, which includes brands such as Marmite, Knorr and Hellmann’s.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 20, 2026
The animals were captured using specially-designed traps filled with soft bedding and food, including oats, peanut butter, and Marmite -- which they find particularly delicious -- before being transferred to a footprint collection box.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 29, 2026
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese intervened in the row, saying it was "rather odd" that Canada allowed the sale of Vegemite's "rubbish" rival product Marmite.
From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2025
Beat up an egg, and add to it half a teacupful milk, and either a teaspoonful "Carnos" or rather less of "Marmite," the latter dissolved in a little boiling water.
From Reform Cookery Book (4th edition) Up-To-Date Health Cookery for the Twentieth Century. by Mill, Mrs. (Jean Oliver)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
