puddle

1 of 2

noun

pud·​dle ˈpə-dᵊl How to pronounce puddle (audio)
1
: a very small pool of usually dirty or muddy water
2
a
: an earthy mixture (as of clay, sand, and gravel) worked while wet into a compact mass that becomes impervious to water when dry
b
: a thin mixture of soil and water for puddling plants

puddle

2 of 2

verb

puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ How to pronounce puddle (audio)
ˈpə-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to dabble or wade around in a puddle

transitive verb

1
: to make muddy or turbid : muddle
2
a
: to work (a wet mixture of earth or concrete) into a dense impervious mass
b
: to subject (iron) to the process of puddling
3
a
: to strew with puddles
b
: to compact (soil) especially by working when too wet
c
: to dip the roots of (a plant) in a thin mud before transplanting
puddler
ˈpəd-lər How to pronounce puddle (audio)
ˈpə-dᵊl-ər
noun

Examples of puddle in a Sentence

Noun She accidentally stepped in a puddle and got her shoes wet. After the storm, the road was covered in deep puddles.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The sweet coat is machine washable, so trouncing in muddy puddles can be stress-free for you. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Just minutes later, the US was a beneficiary of the conditions, when Canada defender Vanessa Gilles’ pass to goalkeeper Kaelin Sheridan stopped dramatically in the puddles, allowing Jaedyn Shaw to give the US the lead. Ben Morse, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 And while that helped — as did the rain letting up in the second half — big puddles remained. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Native people and their allies didn't let the standing water and mud puddles stop them from gathering and sharing stories, concerns and prayers over the health of their lands and sacred sites. The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 Stetson is playful and energetic and especially enjoys splashing in puddles. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 Is there anything more frustrating than putting on a new pair of boots in the colder months, and then, inadvertently, stepping into an ankle-deep sidewalk puddle of sludge? Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2024 Multiple voices and instruments Antonoff’s open-hearted ode, with the saxophone blasts that have highlighted recent Bleachers singles turned into wandering thoughts and feelings; soon enough, the song collapses into a warm puddle of guitar, capturing a feeling of exhausted contentment. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024 Attendees in ball gowns with spindly heels and long trains had to navigate not only puddles and potholes, but also curious onlookers, tourists, and joggers who seemed to have absolutely no idea what was going on. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
When the slow-moving storm system finally moves out of Southern California on Wednesday, sanitation crews will rush in to mop up any remaining sewage puddled on the streets. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 In the evening, the water may puddle and cause the roots to rot, Stewart added. Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 4 Feb. 2024 Arcel and the film lose their footing once the story puddles into melodrama, and the obstacles facing Kahlen become increasingly predictable. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 31 Jan. 2024 Another option is to puddle the fabric with an additional three to six inches over the floor-kiss length. Katy Spratte Joyce, ELLE Decor, 5 Sep. 2023 In a time of puddling water and exposed sandbars, Bill Milner, who grew up on the river, found the last resting place of five sizable ships along the Lower Neches near Beaumont on Aug. 18. Michael Barnes, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023 Here, a linen headboard, tailored bedspread, and slightly puddling window treatments create a relaxing space built around texture play. Katherine Owen, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2023 Water puddled up at the race’s finish line, where Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson walked under an umbrella into the main drag’s stands. Hank Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2023 But, true to fashion’s tendency to co-opt and refine even slovenly looks, stylish men have lately come to appreciate how strategically lengthy pants can puddle nonchalantly atop designer sneakers. Ashley Ogawa Clarke, WSJ, 6 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puddle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English podel; akin to Low German pudel puddle, Old English pudd ditch

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of puddle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near puddle

Cite this Entry

“Puddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puddle. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

puddle

1 of 2 noun
pud·​dle ˈpəd-ᵊl How to pronounce puddle (audio)
: a very small pool (as of dirty or muddy water)

puddle

2 of 2 verb
puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ How to pronounce puddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make muddy
2
: to cover with puddles
puddler
-lər How to pronounce puddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on puddle

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