Kettle meaning : A vessel for boiling a liquid or cooking food, usually metal and equipped with a lid. The quantity held by a kettle. A vessel for boiling water for tea. A kettle hole, sometimes any pothole. (collective) A group of raptors riding a thermal, especially when migrating. A steam locomotive A kettledrum. An instance of kettling; a group of protesters or rioters confined in a limited area. (of the police) To contain demonstrators in a confined area.