caulk

or calk

[ kawk ]

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.
3. to fill or close (a seam, joint, etc.), as in a boat.
4. to drive the edges of (plating) together to prevent leakage.

noun

1. Also caulk·ing [] a material or substance used for caulking.

caulk

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈcaulker, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of caulk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of caulk¹

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

Example Sentences

Outdoor hoses should be drained and removed, and homeowners can caulk around pipes where they enter homes.

From Seattle Times

Does Youngkin’s culture-war battle plan have legs for Republicans hoping to keep the state purple, or was he just a crack in the new blue wall that Democrats can caulk up?

From Slate

Seal these rifts with puttylike rope caulk and begin shrink-wrapping before winter’s icy grip takes hold.

From Seattle Times

Caulk, putty and other sealants are great for such cracks.

From Seattle Times

“They would come in and put some caulk on it,” he said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• block
• shut
• shutter