chaldron: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ObsoleteHistorical / Technical (obsolete)
Quick answer
What does “chaldron” mean?
A historical unit of dry volume used for coal and other bulk goods, primarily in Britain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical unit of dry volume used for coal and other bulk goods, primarily in Britain.
A large, heavy container or measure, now obsolete, that was used in mining and trade during the 17th to 19th centuries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term was used historically in British trade and law. It was rarely, if ever, used in American contexts, where different local measures were adopted.
Connotations
In British historical context, it connotes the coal industry, mining, and pre-industrial trade regulations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern British English and virtually non-existent in American English. Found only in historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “chaldron” in a Sentence
[measure] + of + [commodity] (e.g., a chaldron of coal)[number] + chaldrons + [verb] (e.g., Thirty chaldrons were shipped.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Obsolete. Was used in historical contracts for coal supply.
Academic
Used in historical, economic, or metrological studies.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used only in historical technical writing about weights and measures.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chaldron”
- Using it as a modern unit of measurement.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈkældrən/ (like 'caldron').
- Confusing it with 'cauldron' (a large pot).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete unit that is no longer used in official or legal metrology.
Only if you are writing specifically about historical trade, economics, or weights and measures. It would be confusing in a modern context.
It varied by location and commodity. A common 'London chaldron' for coal was defined as 36 bushels, but its weight and volume were not standardized.
A 'chaldron' is a historical unit of measure. A 'cauldron' is a large metal pot for cooking over an open fire. They are homophones but completely different words.
A historical unit of dry volume used for coal and other bulk goods, primarily in Britain.
Chaldron is usually historical / technical (obsolete) in register.
Chaldron: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɔːldrən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɔːldrən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not by the chaldron (historical, meaning not in large bulk quantities)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CHALdron' as a 'CHALice' for coal – a large, heavy cup-like measure used in old times.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CHALDRON IS A CONTAINER OF HISTORY (representing obsolete systems and pre-industrial trade).
Practice
Quiz
What was a 'chaldron' primarily used to measure?