coddle

verb

cod·​dle ˈkä-dᵊl How to pronounce coddle (audio)
coddled; coddling ˈkäd-liŋ How to pronounce coddle (audio)
ˈkä-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to cook (something, such as eggs) in liquid slowly and gently just below the boiling point
coddled the eggs for the Caesar salad
2
: to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness : pamper
accused the court of coddling criminals
colleges that coddle their athletes
coddler
ˈkäd-lər How to pronounce coddle (audio)
ˈkä-dᵊl-ər
noun

Examples of coddle in a Sentence

The judges were accused of coddling criminals. a hearty, traditional breakfast that included coddled eggs
Recent Examples on the Web Whether that is because of willful ignorance or an institutional predilection for coddling Russia, there is no excuse for neglecting Ukraine. Alexander Vindman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2022 Wojcicki once speculated that Google’s roots in a residential area led to the company's famous practice of coddling employees, where the workplace offered the comforts of home. Steven Levy, WIRED, 10 Aug. 2024 Even better is that once you’re done trying to break the sound barrier, you will be whisked along in near-silence, coddled in the finest Italian leather, and enjoying your Sonus Faber stereo system. Kyle Hyatt, Robb Report, 29 July 2024 Botha credits Leone and Jim Goetz, another senior partner, for supporting him without coddling him. Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for coddle 

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

perhaps altered from caudle "to administer a caudle to," verbal derivative of caudle

Note: The meaning "to pamper," earlier "to treat as if in need of nursing," attested from the second half of the 18th century, cannot be related with certainty to the cooking sense and may be of distinct origin.

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of coddle was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near coddle

Cite this Entry

“Coddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coddle. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

coddle

verb
cod·​dle ˈkäd-ᵊl How to pronounce coddle (audio)
coddled; coddling ˈkäd-liŋ How to pronounce coddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to cook slowly in water below the boiling point
coddle eggs
2
: to treat with excessive care or kindness

More from Merriam-Webster on coddle

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