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

After shaping and cutting the dumplings, the recipe instructed me to bake them in the oven, cool and serve. —Adam Erace, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025

World renowned for its delicate soup dumplings, Din Tai Fung will officially open its doors at Scottsdale Fashion Square in the first half of 2026, bringing a taste of global excellence to one of the most prestigious fashion destinations in the country. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 10 Dec. 2025

Foods that are tender, creamy and soothing like oatmeal, pastas, herbal teas ( especially vanilla, chamomile, lavender), dumplings and even seafood-forward dishes that nourish their spiritual bodies. —Samantha Mims, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025

While fried chicken might be the most iconic Southern chicken dish, chicken and dumplings doesn’t fall far behind. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of lump

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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