1
a
: a small fragment especially of something baked (such as bread)
b
: a porous aggregate of soil particles
2
: bit
a crumb of good news
3
: the soft part of bread
4
slang
: a worthless person
crumbed; crumbing; crumbs
1
: to break into crumbs
2
: to cover or thicken with crumbs
3
: to remove crumbs from
crumb a table
Synonyms
Noun
Examples of crumb in a Sentence
Noun
He swept the crumbs from under the table.
a neglected dog who is desperate for any crumb of affection he might get from strangers
Recent Examples on the Web
cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
How to Make Panko Bread Crumbs With origins in Japan, panko bread crumbs are flakier, larger, and less dense than typical bread crumbs.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2023
The ritual is about symbolically casting away sins, and people often throw bread crumbs into the water to symbolize casting off the sins and letting the water wash them away.
—Alesandra Dubin, Country Living, 29 Aug. 2023
My slice of cherry streusel, an Austrian variant on crumb cake, was equal parts moist and crunchy, tart and sweet.
—Thomas Rogers, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2023
The extra-wide slot (great for bagels), easy-to-clean crumb tray (just pull out and wipe down), and practical buttons (like defrost, cancel, and reheat) don’t hurt either.
—Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 15 Aug. 2023
The Bissell Turbo Rewind Pet Vacuum, which is currently $50 off, is equipped with strong suction power to pick up dust, crumbs, hair, and dirt from hard floors, carpets, and area rugs.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023
Baking fruit under a cover of crumbs is the quickest way to happiness in summer time.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
Wiping away crumbs and cleaning up dishes and trash will give roaches and flies fewer reasons to traffic your kitchen, and can improve the effectiveness of traps.
—Lori Keong, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2023
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2023
Amtrak filed a lawsuit in federal court last week to acquire four properties in West Baltimore so the national passenger railroad can go ahead with a $6 billion plan to replace a crumbing, winding tunnel with a new 4-mile stretch of track and new tunnel.
—Giacomo Bologna, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2023
The Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro stick vacuum is a cleaning tool that makes pet hair, dirt, and crumbs easy things to remove from floors and furniture.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2023
Serve the cooked chicken with tostada shells topped with refried beans, avocado, and crumbed queso fresco.
—Kristy Alpert, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2023
But Jason and Joe Kelly and Brendan Hunt, who are the creatives and the brilliant writers on it, were always good at dropping some sort of bread crumbs along the way to sort of guide you in the right direction.
—Brooke Lamantia, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 June 2023
Another series producer, Eiji Aonuma , has been responsible for scattering the narrative bread crumbs that elevate the Zelda games.
—Zachary Small, New York Times, 4 May 2023
Place eggs in a second shallow bowl, and bread crumbs in a third bowl.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2023
Mix the remaining cheese and bread crumbs together and sprinkle on top of macaroni.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2023
See More
Noun
Add bread crumbs and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until browned and crisp, 3-4 minutes.
—cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
How to Make Panko Bread Crumbs With origins in Japan, panko bread crumbs are flakier, larger, and less dense than typical bread crumbs.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2023
The ritual is about symbolically casting away sins, and people often throw bread crumbs into the water to symbolize casting off the sins and letting the water wash them away.
—Alesandra Dubin, Country Living, 29 Aug. 2023
My slice of cherry streusel, an Austrian variant on crumb cake, was equal parts moist and crunchy, tart and sweet.
—Thomas Rogers, Travel + Leisure, 28 Aug. 2023
The extra-wide slot (great for bagels), easy-to-clean crumb tray (just pull out and wipe down), and practical buttons (like defrost, cancel, and reheat) don’t hurt either.
—Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 15 Aug. 2023
The Bissell Turbo Rewind Pet Vacuum, which is currently $50 off, is equipped with strong suction power to pick up dust, crumbs, hair, and dirt from hard floors, carpets, and area rugs.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023
Baking fruit under a cover of crumbs is the quickest way to happiness in summer time.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
Wiping away crumbs and cleaning up dishes and trash will give roaches and flies fewer reasons to traffic your kitchen, and can improve the effectiveness of traps.
—Lori Keong, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2023
Verb
For those unfamiliar with German cuisine, Wiener schnitzel is crumbed veal and Blutwurst is blood sausage.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2023
Amtrak filed a lawsuit in federal court last week to acquire four properties in West Baltimore so the national passenger railroad can go ahead with a $6 billion plan to replace a crumbing, winding tunnel with a new 4-mile stretch of track and new tunnel.
—Giacomo Bologna, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2023
The Shark Rocket Deluxe Pro stick vacuum is a cleaning tool that makes pet hair, dirt, and crumbs easy things to remove from floors and furniture.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2023
Serve the cooked chicken with tostada shells topped with refried beans, avocado, and crumbed queso fresco.
—Kristy Alpert, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2023
But Jason and Joe Kelly and Brendan Hunt, who are the creatives and the brilliant writers on it, were always good at dropping some sort of bread crumbs along the way to sort of guide you in the right direction.
—Brooke Lamantia, Harper's BAZAAR, 1 June 2023
Another series producer, Eiji Aonuma , has been responsible for scattering the narrative bread crumbs that elevate the Zelda games.
—Zachary Small, New York Times, 4 May 2023
Place eggs in a second shallow bowl, and bread crumbs in a third bowl.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2023
Mix the remaining cheese and bread crumbs together and sprinkle on top of macaroni.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crumb.' 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 crumme, from Old English cruma; akin to Middle High German krume crumb
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of crumb was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing crumb
Articles Related to crumb
Dictionary Entries Near crumb
Cite this Entry
“Crumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumb. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on crumb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share