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

Underseasoned water will pull flavor out of the dumplings. —Molly Baz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026

Our competition started with 32 restaurants chosen by editors and readers specializing in dumplings and momos, a Tibetan and Nepali variation, in the Denver area. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026

In small soup bowl or 6-ounce ramekin, add a layer of ground pork mixture, then a dumpling wrapper, pressing down gently with your fingers. —Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Diners can expect to nosh on bao, buns, dumplings and skewers, along with Uchi staples, with cushy seating inside and outside on the patio. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026

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