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
1
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."
2
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
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- cradles
- Third person singular
- cradles
- Past tense
- cradled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cradle
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.
