puddle

1 of 2

noun

pud·​dle ˈpə-dᵊl How to pronounce puddle (audio)
1
: a very small pool of usually dirty or muddy water
2
a
: an earthy mixture (as of clay, sand, and gravel) worked while wet into a compact mass that becomes impervious to water when dry
b
: a thin mixture of soil and water for puddling plants

puddle

2 of 2

verb

puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ How to pronounce puddle (audio)
ˈpə-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to dabble or wade around in a puddle

transitive verb

1
: to make muddy or turbid : muddle
2
a
: to work (a wet mixture of earth or concrete) into a dense impervious mass
b
: to subject (iron) to the process of puddling
3
a
: to strew with puddles
b
: to compact (soil) especially by working when too wet
c
: to dip the roots of (a plant) in a thin mud before transplanting
puddler
ˈpəd-lər How to pronounce puddle (audio)
ˈpə-dᵊl-ər
noun

Examples of puddle in a Sentence

Noun She accidentally stepped in a puddle and got her shoes wet. After the storm, the road was covered in deep puddles.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Is there anything more frustrating than putting on a new pair of boots in the colder months, and then, inadvertently, stepping into an ankle-deep sidewalk puddle of sludge? Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2024 Multiple voices and instruments Antonoff’s open-hearted ode, with the saxophone blasts that have highlighted recent Bleachers singles turned into wandering thoughts and feelings; soon enough, the song collapses into a warm puddle of guitar, capturing a feeling of exhausted contentment. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024 Attendees in ball gowns with spindly heels and long trains had to navigate not only puddles and potholes, but also curious onlookers, tourists, and joggers who seemed to have absolutely no idea what was going on. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024 Avoid puddles — Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Feb. 2024 Alex and Dietz stood in front of a giant flowerpot moated by puddles. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Go ahead, stomp in the puddles, slide on the swing, play tag. Allison Andrews, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 From there, she was placed in a cell, where she was found at one point in a puddle of her own urine, her lawyers said. Mike Baker, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 At times, rain blew sideways through trolley doors, creating puddles of water on passenger seats. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2024
Verb
When the slow-moving storm system finally moves out of Southern California on Wednesday, sanitation crews will rush in to mop up any remaining sewage puddled on the streets. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 In the evening, the water may puddle and cause the roots to rot, Stewart added. Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 4 Feb. 2024 Arcel and the film lose their footing once the story puddles into melodrama, and the obstacles facing Kahlen become increasingly predictable. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2024 Another option is to puddle the fabric with an additional three to six inches over the floor-kiss length. Katy Spratte Joyce, ELLE Decor, 5 Sep. 2023 In a time of puddling water and exposed sandbars, Bill Milner, who grew up on the river, found the last resting place of five sizable ships along the Lower Neches near Beaumont on Aug. 18. Michael Barnes, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023 Here, a linen headboard, tailored bedspread, and slightly puddling window treatments create a relaxing space built around texture play. Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2023 Water puddled up at the race’s finish line, where Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson walked under an umbrella into the main drag’s stands. Hank Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2023 But, true to fashion’s tendency to co-opt and refine even slovenly looks, stylish men have lately come to appreciate how strategically lengthy pants can puddle nonchalantly atop designer sneakers. Ashley Ogawa Clarke, WSJ, 6 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puddle.' 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 podel; akin to Low German pudel puddle, Old English pudd ditch

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of puddle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near puddle

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

puddle

1 of 2 noun
pud·​dle ˈpəd-ᵊl How to pronounce puddle (audio)
: a very small pool (as of dirty or muddy water)

puddle

2 of 2 verb
puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ How to pronounce puddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make muddy
2
: to cover with puddles
puddler
-lər How to pronounce puddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on puddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!