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.

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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

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Marmite ² British  

/ ˈmɑːmaɪt /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of marmite

1795–1805; < French, Middle French, apparently equivalent to mar ( m )-, base of marmotter to mutter, murmur ( 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

After nearly eight months of "oily and salty" prison food, Barbie told the Sunday Times she would like to have some salad and marmite, while Peter was hankering for baked beans.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

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

There is no place in Paris where you get a better petite marmite than the Ambassadeurs.

From Evelyn Innes by Moore, George (George Augustus)