ladle

1 of 2

noun

la·​dle ˈlā-dᵊl How to pronounce ladle (audio)
1
: a deep-bowled long-handled spoon used especially for dipping up and conveying liquids
2
: something resembling a ladle in form or function
ladleful noun

ladle

2 of 2

verb

ladled; ladling ˈlā-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce ladle (audio)
ˈlād-liŋ

transitive verb

: to take up and convey in or as if in a ladle

Examples of ladle in a Sentence

Noun the chef looked around for a ladle to add the chicken broth to the pot Verb The soup was ladled into the bowls. ladling the wine into cups
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The Taco de Pollo, a chicken taco, is topped with a heavy ladle of cilantro-lime crema, pico de gallo and sharp cotija crumbles. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 The slow-roasted beef was shredded and topped with a ladle of poppy chimichurri, which helped cut all the richness of the dish. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 Step 4: Place three tang yuan in a bowl and add a large ladle of brown sugar ginger soup. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024 Runners and bussers carry out the intricate footwork of service: bending down to adjust a fish knife, raising a silver cloche, ironing a crease out of a starchy white tablecloth, holding a silver ladle high in the air as a blue trickle of flaming rum pours down on a wedge of sticky toffee pudding. Pete Wells, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Each one ladles out race, gender, and political instruction — social engineering. Armond White, National Review, 12 Jan. 2024 Then suddenly, the giant ladle is moving, swinging steadily toward the camera. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2024 As for glassware, it should be judged by its relative likelihood of capturing the contents of the ladle. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2023 The most kinetic picture is a still life of enamelware — a common Keiffer subject — in which a cup, a ladle, a spoon and other objects appear to be floating downward through space toward several stacks of kindred containers. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 29 Dec. 2023
Verb
Each location’s bounty is ladled with tips and takeaways. Laura Manske, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Season with salt and ladle into bowls; serve hot, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a generous amount of cheese. Andrea Weigl, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The Holiday Bowl has ladled on more fan experiences as the game zigs and zags. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Dec. 2023 All that’s left to do is ladle the soup into bowls, add a dollop of sour cream, a handful of potato chips and a sprinkling of chives. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 28 Dec. 2023 At home, or at a more homey restaurant, it might be served ladled into a bowl. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2023 While constantly stirring, ladle in about ⅓ cup hot stock to rice. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 2 Dec. 2023 Part of a chain of homey brasseries around the city, this two-story location offers views over the bustling avenue below, and ladles out generous servings of French specialties like boeuf bourguignon, escargot, and hearty French onion soup. Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2023 Instead of simply ladling your soup into a bowl and digging in, try elevating it with the help of some special toppings or sides, Tucci explains. Ashia Aubourg, SELF, 2 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ladle.' 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

Noun

Middle English ladel, from Old English hlædel, from hladan

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1532, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ladle was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near ladle

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

ladle

1 of 2 noun
la·​dle ˈlād-ᵊl How to pronounce ladle (audio)
: a spoon or dipper with a long handle and a deep bowl used for dipping
ladleful noun

ladle

2 of 2 verb
ladled; ladling ˈlād-liŋ How to pronounce ladle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to take up and carry in or as if in a ladle

More from Merriam-Webster on ladle

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