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Definition of kiln

kiln

/ˈkɪln/
kiln
Plural:kilns
•
Past Simple:kilned
•
Past Participle:kilned
•
Present Participle:kilning
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kiln Lexical Profile

kiln Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large oven or furnace used for baking, drying, or firing materials, especially ceramics, brick, or hops.

Example

"After shaping the clay vases, the potter carefully placed them into the kiln to be fired."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for kiln

• verb

1

To dry, bake, or fire in a kiln (especially referring to pottery, lumber, or grain).

Example

"The lumber company kilns the wood to ensure it is thoroughly dry and stabilized before it is used for construction."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for kiln

Word Nuance & Usage

Historically, the terminal 'n' in 'kiln' was silent, making it homophonous with 'kill' (a pronunciation still favored by some traditional potters and tradespeople), though pronouncing the 'n' is overwhelmingly standard in modern general English.

• Nearby Words

killdeer
killer whale
killifish
kiln
kilt
kimchi
kimono

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'cylen', borrowed from Latin 'culina' meaning 'kitchen' or 'cookstove'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kiln. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kiln
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