1. a container with a lid, a handle, and a ↑spout, used for boiling and pouring water SYN teakettle American English: She filled the kettle and switched it on. The kettle’s boiling (=the water in it is boiling). Put the kettle on (=start boiling water in a kettle), will you? 2. American English a large pot, used for making soup 3. another/a different kettle of fish informal used to say that a situation is very different from one that you have just mentioned: She enjoys public speaking, but being on TV is a different kettle of fish.