ladle

1 of 2

noun

la·​dle ˈlā-dᵊl 

1

: a deep-bowled long-handled spoon used especially for dipping up and conveying liquids

2

: something resembling a ladle in form or function

ladleful

ˈlā-dᵊl-ˌfu̇l 

noun

ladle

2 of 2

verb

ladled; ladling ˈlā-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈlād-liŋ

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

Noun

• dipper
• scoop
• spoon

Verb

• bucket
• dip
• lade
• scoop
• spoon

Examples of ladle in a Sentence

Noun

the chef looked around for a ladle to add the chicken broth to the pot

Verb

The soup was ladled into the bowls.

ladling the wine into cups

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Crafted from solid beechwood, this set comes with a slotted spoon, solid spoon, solid turner, solid ladle, and a serving fork. —Melony Forcier, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025

There was a big cooler on the motor car, and a ladle. —Graydon Carter, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025

Verb

To serve, heap cooked noodles into bowls and ladle the broth and celery over the top. —Laura McLively, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2025

To serve, spoon the polenta into a bowl, then ladle the bean tomato sauce over the polenta, and top with pancetta, fresh basil and grated Parmesan. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ladel, from Old English hlædel, from hladan

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1532, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ladle

• cradle
• decadal

Kids Definition

ladle

1 of 2 noun

la·​dle ˈlād-ᵊl 

: a spoon or dipper with a long handle and a deep bowl used for dipping

ladleful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

ladle

2 of 2 verb

ladled; ladling ˈlād-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

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