dumpling

noun

dump·​ling ˈdəmp-liŋ 

plural dumplings

1

a

: a small mass of dough cooked by boiling or steaming

chicken soup with dumplings

b

: a casing of dough enclosing a typically savory filling (such as meat or seafood) and cooked usually by boiling, steaming, or pan-frying see gyoza, pot sticker, wonton

c

: a usually baked dessert of fruit wrapped in dough

apple dumplings

2

: something soft and rounded like a dumpling

especially : a plump person or animal often of short stature

I wanted to do it [rowing] because it was something I had never heard of. I was a little dumpling as well. I wanted to lose weight.

—Spencer Turrin, quoted in The Daily Telegraph (England)

Examples of dumpling in a Sentence

We had vegetarian dumplings as an appetizer.

Recent Examples on the Web

The malleable toys — which can be shaped like dumplings and ice cubes — have gained traction on social media. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

This is the heart of Franconia, where traditions—especially culinary ones, including pork dishes, potato dumplings, and sausages—remain deeply rooted. — Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

About La Pistola Jeffrey Yarbrough and Camille McDonald helped launch the successful Teddy Wong’s dumpling restaurant and are the co-owners behind La Pistola Kitchen + Saloon. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026

Overmixing can lead to dense dumplings rather than light and tender. — Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of lump

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for dumpling

• crumpling

Kids Definition

dumpling

noun

dump·​ling ˈdəm-pliŋ 

1

: a portion of dough cooked by boiling or steaming

2

: a dessert of fruit baked in biscuit dough