noun Uncommon

cradle

KRAY-duhl

Cradle (noun) means a small bed for a baby that rocks or swings gently. Example: “She rocked the cradle until the baby fell asleep.”

noun

A small bed for a baby that rocks or swings gently.

"She rocked the cradle until the baby fell asleep."

"The antique wooden cradle had been in the family for generations."

The place or time where something began and was nurtured early on.

"Mesopotamia is often called the cradle of civilization."

"The garage was the cradle of the company's first products."

verb

To hold something gently and protectively, as if rocking a baby.

"He cradled the injured bird in his hands."

"She cradled her phone between her ear and shoulder while typing."

How to Use Cradle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA baby's rocking bed, or — more broadly — the place something began; as a verb, to hold something tenderly.

Common pairings

rock the cradle cradle of civilization cradle a baby

Word Forms

cradled past tense, cradles plural, cradles singular

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She rocked the _____ until the baby fell asleep.

Etymology

From Old English cradol, related to a Germanic root for a wicker basket — the same family as the word "cart".

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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birthplace rocker provenance provenience place of origin

Related Words

origin roots homeland hometown womb ancestry birthplace rocker

Rhymes for cradle

ladle

See all rhymes for cradle →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “cradle” mean?

The word “cradle” means a small bed for a baby that rocks or swings gently. In plain terms, a baby's rocking bed, or — more broadly — the place something began; as a verb, to hold something tenderly.

How do you pronounce “cradle”?

“Cradle” is pronounced KRAY-duhl (/ˈkɹeɪdəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “cradle” in a sentence?

Here is “cradle” used in a sentence: “She rocked the cradle until the baby fell asleep.”

What part of speech is “cradle”?

Depending on how it is used, “cradle” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cradle” come from?

The word “cradle” comes from Old English. From Old English cradol, related to a Germanic root for a wicker basket — the same family as the word "cart".

Is “cradle” a common word?

“Cradle” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “cradle” have?

“Cradle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small bed for a baby that rocks or swings gently.

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