Jump To:

• marmite
  marmite

  noun

  a metal or earthenware cooking pot with a cover, usually large and often having legs.
• Marmite
  Marmite

  noun

  a yeast and vegetable extract used as a spread, flavouring, etc

marmite

American  

[mahr-mahyt, mahr-meet] / ˈmɑr maɪt, mɑrˈmit /

noun

1. a metal or earthenware cooking pot with a cover, usually large and often having legs.

---

marmite ¹ British  

/ ˈmɑːmaɪt /

noun

1. a large cooking pot

2. soup cooked in such a pot

3. an individual covered casserole for serving soup

4. military a container used to bring food to troops in the field

---

Marmite ² British  

/ ˈmɑːmaɪt /

noun

1. a yeast and vegetable extract used as a spread, flavouring, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of marmite

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

marmite Marmite

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

Our little group remained, not standing in the trench but back of it, in full relief for some time; for the German gunners refused to play for realism by sending us a marmite.

From My Year of the War Including an Account of Experiences with the Troops in France and the Record of a Visit to the Grand Fleet Which is Here Given for the First Time in its Complete Form by Frederick Palmer

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

She perhaps represents a refreshing antidote to the kind of cooks whose recipes involve complicated ingredients you have to hunt for in a deli - instead, expect to find Marmite, fish fingers or frozen peas.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 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

A tasty and novel flavour is obtained by spreading a very little Marmite Extract on the bread and butter before adding the filling proper.

From Reform Cookery Book (4th edition) Up-To-Date Health Cookery for the Twentieth Century. by Mrs. (Jean Oliver) Mill