huddle

1 of 2

verb

hud·​dle ˈhə-dᵊl How to pronounce huddle (audio)
huddled; huddling ˈhə-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce huddle (audio)
ˈhəd-liŋ

transitive verb

1
British : to arrange carelessly or hurriedly
the solemnities had to be huddled through at express speedManchester Examiner
2
a
: to crowd together
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free …Emma Lazarus
b
: to draw (oneself) together : crouch
People were huddled around their radios.
3
: to wrap oneself closely in
huddled her coat around her

intransitive verb

1
a
: to gather in a close-packed group
They huddled around the campfire.
b
: to curl up : crouch
Students huddled over their desks.
2
a
: to hold a consultation
huddled to discuss the proposal
b
football : to gather away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down (see down entry 5 sense 3b) : to gather in a huddle (see huddle entry 2 sense 2b)
huddler
ˈhə-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce huddle (audio)
ˈhəd-lər
noun

huddle

2 of 2

noun

1
: a close-packed group : bunch
huddles of children
a huddle of cottages
2
a
: meeting, conference
The boss is in a huddle with the marketing director.
b
football : a brief gathering of players away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down (see down entry 5 sense 3b)

Examples of huddle in a Sentence

Verb We huddled around the campfire. The sheep huddled together for warmth. The students huddled over their desks. Union representatives are huddling to discuss the proposal. Noun sheep standing in a huddle The boss is in a huddle with the marketing director. The quarterback called the offense into a huddle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Recommended Meet the ‘Haley Voters for Harris’ who could tip the election At the checkpoint, Palestinians say, men are being separated from women and children, who are forced to huddle in an earthen crater dug by the Israeli military. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Oct. 2024 The group huddled in the cold on the roof for several hours as the rain continued through the night, Torres said. Walter Berry and Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
The big picture: The Colts (3-3) continue to struggle with injuries to a number of key players, but have proven resilient by securing big wins this season without their primary play caller in the huddle. Justin L. MacK, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024 Basics like hearing a play-call instead of getting it from a sideline card, breaking the huddle and getting lined up at the right tempo. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for huddle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'huddle.' 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

Verb and Noun

probably from or akin to Middle English hoderen to huddle

First Known Use

Verb

1579, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of huddle was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near huddle

Cite this Entry

“Huddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/huddle. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

huddle

1 of 2 verb
hud·​dle ˈhəd-ᵊl How to pronounce huddle (audio)
huddled; huddling ˈhəd-liŋ How to pronounce huddle (audio)
ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to crowd, push, or pile together
people huddled in a doorway
2
: to gather in a huddle in football
3
: curl up, crouch
a child huddled in its crib
huddler
ˈhəd-lər How to pronounce huddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

huddle

2 of 2 noun
1
: a close-packed group : bunch
2
b
: a brief gathering of football players away from the line of scrimmage to hear instructions for the next play

More from Merriam-Webster on huddle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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