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

They had several commercial uses, including in transformers and capacitors, oil used in motors and hydraulic systems, cable insulation, oil-based paint, caulking and plastics.

From Los Angeles Times

Step 4: Have extra filler pieces or caulking in case your wall is not at a perfect 90 degrees to fill in the gaps.

From Seattle Times

When he finished his caulking, he made a mast with a crosspiece, or boom, out of branches.

From Literature

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

From Seattle Times

They could be found in other common products including carbon copy paper, caulking and paint.

From BBC

Related Words

• block
• shut
• shutter