ladle

verb

ladled; ladling ˈlā-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce ladle (audio)
ˈlād-liŋ
Synonyms of ladlenext

transitive verb

: to take up and convey in or as if in a ladle

Examples of ladle in a Sentence

The soup was ladled into the bowls. ladling the wine into cups
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fresh lemonade and iced tea ladled into mason jars served with red-and-white-striped straws. Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Carefully ladle hot syrup over jalapeños until jar is full. Jed Portman, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026 Divide noodles, chicken, and peas among bowls, then ladle broth into each (about a heaping ¼ cup per bowl). Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 May 2026 For water-bath canning, ladle the hot jam into the hot jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ladle

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1532, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ladle was circa 1532

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ladle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ladle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

ladle

1 of 2 noun
la·​dle ˈlād-ᵊl How to pronounce ladle (audio)
: a spoon or dipper with a long handle and a deep bowl used for dipping
ladleful noun

ladle

2 of 2 verb
ladled; ladling ˈlād-liŋ How to pronounce ladle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to take up and carry in or as if in a ladle

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