marmite
noun
a metal or earthenware cooking pot with a cover, usually large and often having legs.
marmite
American
[mahr-mahyt, mahr-meet]
/ ˈmɑr maɪt, mɑrˈmit /
noun
marmite
1
British
/ ˈmɑːmaɪt /
noun
-
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
Marmite
2
British
/ ˈmɑːmaɪt /
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
A marmite intended for the road landed in the river as he spoke.
From A Volunteer Poilu by Henry Beston
The musician predicted his downfall earlier in the week, admitting that his synth-driven track was "Marmite - you either love it or hate it".
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
"What we're doing is Marmite," he told BBC News before the contest.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
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
"Marmite" and Carnos have been so often quoted in recipes as to need no further mention.
From Reform Cookery Book (4th edition) Up-To-Date Health Cookery for the Twentieth Century. by Mrs. (Jean Oliver) Mill
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.
