plural ladles
: a large and deep spoon with a long handle that is used for serving a liquid
a soup ladle
ladles; ladled; ladling
: to take up and carry (a liquid) by using a large spoon : to serve (a liquid) with a ladle
The soup was ladled into the bowls.
ladling the wine into cups
—often + outvolunteers ladling out soup to homeless people
—sometimes used figurativelyHe's always ladling out unwanted advice to his friends.
Cite this Entry
“Ladle.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/ladle. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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