cradle

verb

cradled; cradling ˈkrā-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈkrād-liŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to place or keep in or as if in a cradle

b

: shelter, rear

c

: to support protectively or intimately

cradling the injured man's head in her arms

2

: to cut (grain) with a cradle scythe

3

: to place, raise, support, or transport on a cradle

intransitive verb

obsolete : to rest in or as if in a cradle

Examples of cradle in a Sentence

He cradled her face in his hands.

She was cradling the injured man's head in her arms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wilhelm enters the room, removes most of his clothing and gets into bed with her, slaps her, pushes her away and then caresses her face and cradles her. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

The frame has a straight silhouette that cradles supportive bolsters and back cushions that practically beg for a Netflix marathon. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026

Harry cradles the young princess in his arms as Meghan, dressed all in khaki rests her arm on his shoulder lovingly. —Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 4 June 2026

The show opened with model Jasmine Tookes, ethereal in gold wings, cradling her nine-month-pregnant belly, among longtime Angels like Adriana Lima and WNBA star Angel Reese. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing cradle

• cat's cradle
• cradle cap
• from (the) cradle to (the) grave
• rob the cradle

Rhymes for cradle

• decadal
• ladle

Kids Definition

cradle

1 of 2 noun

cra·​dle ˈkrād-ᵊl 

1

: a bed for a baby usually on rockers

2

a

: a place of origin

the cradle of civilization

b

: the earliest period of life

3

: a framework or support resembling a baby's cradle in appearance or use

4

: a tool with rods like fingers attached to a scythe and used formerly for harvesting grain

5

: a rocking tool used in panning for gold

6

: a support for a telephone handset

cradle

2 of 2 verb

cradled; cradling ˈkrād-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

a

: to place or keep in or as if in a cradle

b

: to protect and cherish lovingly

2

: to cut grain with a cradle

3

: to wash in a miner's cradle

Medical Definition

cradle

noun

cra·​dle ˈkrād-ᵊl 

1

: a bed or cot for a baby usually on rockers or pivots

2

a

: a frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with an injured part of the body

b

: a frame placed on the neck of an animal to keep it from biting an injury or sore