crucible

noun

cru·​ci·​ble ˈkrü-sə-bəl How to pronounce crucible (audio)
1
: a vessel of a very refractory (see refractory entry 1 sense 3) material (such as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat
2
: a severe test
He's ready to face the crucible of the Olympics.
3
: a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development
… conditioned by having grown up within the crucible of Chinatown …Tom Wolfe
His character was formed in the crucible of war.

Did you know?

Unless you’re studying Arthur Miller’s The Crucible in school, it may not be crucial to learn the story behind crucible, but it can’t hurt! Crucible looks like it should be closely related to the Latin combining form cruc- (“cross”); however, unlike crucial, it isn’t. It was forged instead from the Medieval Latin crucibulum, a noun for an earthen pot used to melt metals, and in English it first referred to a vessel made of a very heat-resistant material (such as porcelain) used for melting a substance that requires a high degree of heat. It’s possible that the resemblance between cruc- and crucible encouraged people to start using crucible to mean “a severe trial,” as that sense is synonymous with one meaning of cross, but the idea of simmering in a literal crucible also sounds plenty severe. The newest sense of crucible (“a situation in which great changes take place,” as in “forged in the crucible of war”) recalls the fire and heat required to transform some solids into liquids.

Examples of crucible in a Sentence

He's ready to face the crucible of the Olympics. His character was formed in the crucible of war.
Recent Examples on the Web Forged in the crucible of the Indian freedom struggle, inspired by the pluralistic ethos of its leader Mahatma Gandhi (who was not related to her) and of her father, Nehru, Indira Gandhi was deeply committed to the idea that India belonged equally to citizens of all faiths. Ramachandra Guha, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 This state was possible only if the iron atoms had been cooked in a terrific crucible of around two million degrees Fahrenheit. Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 Within this expanding cannabis industry, the pre-roll market stands as a crucible of innovation and competition. Harrison Bard, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2024 These gatherings are crucibles of professional development, showcasing the latest research, trends and techniques essential for staying at the forefront of our practice. Dev Gadhvi, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 In the years after the mosque’s violent demolition, Hindu nationalism became a dominating force in Indian politics, and Ayodhya—a nondescript, impoverished town for much of its modern existence—emerged as the crucible for a contested country. Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2024 While Egwene's got her eye on the finish line, gritting through the crucible of her daily grind, Nynaeve's far less patient… and that's amplified by the fact that since last season's finale, she's been completely unable to tap into the Source. Alex Raiman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2023 These are the crucibles where new ideas are forged and shaped. 6. Niki St Pierre, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Goldstein’s visceral arrival to her crucible pays off with a calming honesty. David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crucible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corusible, from Medieval Latin crucibulum earthen pot for melting metals

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crucible was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near crucible

Cite this Entry

“Crucible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crucible. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

crucible

noun
cru·​ci·​ble ˈkrü-sə-bəl How to pronounce crucible (audio)
1
: a pot made of a substance not easily damaged by fire that is used for holding something to be treated under great heat
2
: a severe test

Medical Definition

crucible

noun
cru·​ci·​ble ˈkrü-sə-bəl How to pronounce crucible (audio)
: a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat

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