breadcrumb

noun

bread·​crumb ˈbred-ˌkrəm How to pronounce breadcrumb (audio)
variants or bread crumb
plural breadcrumbs or bread crumbs
1
: a small fragment or crumb of bread
left breadcrumbs all over the table
Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over a medium heat—it's at the correct temperature when a breadcrumb dropped into the hot oil sizzles and turns light golden.Bre Graham
especially : a fragment of stale, hard, or dried bread that has been crushed or ground for use in cooking
Meatballs are often made with breadcrumbs, which help bind the meat and other ingredients together … Lauren Salkeld
A sprinkling of bread crumbs or grated cheese, and dots of butter, help to form a light brown covering … over the sauce. Simone Beck et al.
2
: something (such as a hint or clue) that serves to lead or guide
Spotting a couple of gas planets in another solar system is not the triumphant discovery that detecting an Earthlike atmosphere on a rocky exoplanet would be, but it is an important bread crumb in the search for life in the universe.Marina Koren
… I love how the movie drops breadcrumbs to support the conclusion that Kris Kringle is, or isn't, the real Santa.Odie Henderson
Heading into the final day of the team's offseason program, little remains known about the Seahawks' offense. … But over the past few weeks, players and coaches have raved about the play caller and in the process left a trail of bread crumbs hinting at what to expect.Corbin K. Smith

Examples of breadcrumb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The best holiday dips start with a tub of sour cream Ricotta and Potato Chip Fish Cakes With Peas Here, the chips are a stand-in for the breadcrumbs called for in most salmon patty recipes. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Here are the breadcrumbs for this hike: Peavine National Recreation Trail to Captains Trail. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Let stand until breadcrumbs absorb milk, about 5 minutes. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Following the digital breadcrumbs of an online travel reviewer who may be Lily, Brian embarks on a quest to find his beloved. Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2024 Toasting the breadcrumbs gives them a richer flavor and crunchier texture. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2024 Shake of any excess and then roll the rice ball in the breadcrumb until well coated. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2024 Made from crustless, coarsely ground white bread, fluffy panko breadcrumbs are key to the crispy exterior. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Just before dinnertime, coat them in breadcrumbs, and cook for a quick 7 minutes! Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breadcrumb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breadcrumb was circa 1529

Dictionary Entries Near breadcrumb

Cite this Entry

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

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