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 takeout service, Asia Live On-the-Go, with specialties such as Sheng Jian Bao, the pork dumplings, and Peking Duck, roasted and served with a seasonal fruit glaze — will begin that day also. —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

An employee touched raw dumplings and shumai (steamed dumplings) then placed gloves on their hands. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado june 19, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026

Similar to traditional Italian dumplings made with mashed potato, this version uses about 75 percent cauliflower, along with cassava flour, potato starch, extra-virgin olive oil, and sea salt. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 June 2026

Its glorious dumplings are a respite from the typical brunch menu and inspire you to break out from a food rut more often. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 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