dibble

1 of 2

noun

dib·​ble ˈdi-bəl How to pronounce dibble (audio)
: a small hand implement used to make holes in the ground for plants, seeds, or bulbs

dibble

2 of 2

verb

dibbled; dibbling ˈdi-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce dibble (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to plant with a dibble
2
: to make holes in (soil) with or as if with a dibble

Examples of dibble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
For transplants or sets, use a dibble to make planting holes 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. The Editors, Good Housekeeping, 21 May 2020
Verb
Thomas gathered acorns near the Rayburn Building and near the Grant Memorial, bringing them home and dibbling them into the Georgia earth. John Kelly, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dibble was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dibble

Cite this Entry

“Dibble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dibble. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dibble

noun
dib·​ble
ˈdib-əl
: a small hand tool for making holes in the ground for plants, seeds, or bulbs
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