potter's wheel

noun

: a usually horizontal disk revolving on a vertical spindle and carrying the clay being shaped by a potter

Illustration of potter's wheel

Illustration of potter's wheel

Examples of potter's wheel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bridget Cavanagh was also the daughter who threw a perfect bowl on her first try at the potter's wheel, who could match every sock in a basket of clean laundry, who loved beads and crystals, and who read the Bible in Braille. Jennifer Dixon, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2022 Then everyone works at his or her own potter's wheel, while the instructor moves around the room for individual, hands-on instruction. Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 13 July 2022 Try the potter's wheel, make a clay boat, carve your name into a giant pot, or watch professional potters at work. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 19 June 2022 Each of the individual parts of her sculptures is formed on the potter's wheel of stoneware clay and then is altered and assembled. Courant Community, 26 June 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of potter's wheel was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near potter's wheel

Cite this Entry

“Potter's wheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potter%27s%20wheel. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

potter's wheel

noun
: a horizontal disk revolving on a spindle and carrying the clay being shaped by a potter

More from Merriam-Webster on potter's wheel

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!