1
a
: a bed or cot for a baby usually on rockers or pivots
b
: a framework or support suggestive of a baby's cradle: such as
(1)
: a framework of bars and rods
(2)
: the support for a telephone receiver or handset
(3)
: a charging station for a device (such as a smartphone or tablet)
c
: an implement with rods like fingers attached to a scythe and used formerly for harvesting grain
d
: a frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with an injured part of the body
2
a
: the earliest period of life : infancy
from the cradle to the grave
b
: a place of origin
the cradle of civilization
3
: a rocking device used in panning for gold
cradled; cradling
ˈkrād-liŋ 
ˈkrā-dᵊl-iŋ
1
2
: to cut (grain) with a cradle scythe
3
: to place, raise, support, or transport on a cradle
obsolete
: to rest in or as if in a cradle
Examples of cradle in a Sentence
Noun
She placed the phone back on its cradle.
A number of ships were resting in their cradles in the shipyard.
Verb
He cradled her face in his hands.
She was cradling the injured man's head in her arms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Walmart is leaning into this opportunity to capture a ‘cradle to grave’ customer.
—Kiri Masters, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
At one point, Dion cradled Adele's face, clasped Adele's hand to her right cheek and kissed it, then leaned in for a last few words.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cradle 
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show current usage.
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Noun
Joe is driven by a cognitive-dissonant belief in her Sisyphean post — ever maintaining the upper hand to protect the scraps of the American Dream that cradle her family inside America’s borders.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Walmart is leaning into this opportunity to capture a ‘cradle to grave’ customer.
—Kiri Masters, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
The defensive back, who was traded to the Chargers in August for a seventh-round pick from the Tennessee Titans, cradled the ball for his team-leading third interception.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
At one point, Dion cradled Adele's face, clasped Adele's hand to her right cheek and kissed it, then leaned in for a last few words.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cradle
Dictionary Entries Near cradle
Cite this Entry
“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cradle. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cradle
1 of 2 noun
cra·dle
ˈkrād-ᵊl
1
: a bed for a baby usually on rockers
2
a
: a place of origin
the cradle of civilization
b
: the earliest period of life
3
: a framework or support resembling a baby's cradle in appearance or use
4
: a tool with rods like fingers attached to a scythe and used formerly for harvesting grain
5
: a rocking tool used in panning for gold
6
: a support for a telephone handset
cradle
2 of 2 verb
cradled; cradling
ˈkrād-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
a
: to place or keep in or as if in a cradle
b
: to protect and cherish lovingly
2
: to cut grain with a cradle
3
: to wash in a miner's cradle
Medical Definition
cradle
noun
cra·dle
ˈkrād-ᵊl
1
: a bed or cot for a baby usually on rockers or pivots
2
a
: a frame to keep the bedclothes from contact with an injured part of the body
b
: a frame placed on the neck of an animal to keep it from biting an injury or sore
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