cradle

1 of 2

noun

cra·​dle ˈkrā-dᵊl 

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

cradle

2 of 2

verb

cradled; cradling ˈkrād-liŋ 

ˈkrā-dᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to place or keep in or as if in a cradle

b

: shelter, rear

c

: to support protectively or intimately

cradling the injured man's head in her arms

2

: to cut (grain) with a cradle scythe

3

: to place, raise, support, or transport on a cradle

intransitive verb

obsolete : to rest in or as if in a cradle

Synonyms

Noun

• birthplace
• home
• mother country
• motherland

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

Noun

That’s when the cradle of arms is supposed to catch the Super. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Philly, the cradle of democracy, shares cultural and political identities with both regions. —Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

Verb

In the carousel of photos, Brittany cradled her belly with her other hand. —Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Grande, supporting her co-lead, reached for Erivo’s hand but wound up cradling her formidable fingernail instead, a moment that went viral on its own. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cradel, from Old English cradol; perhaps akin to Old High German kratto basket, Sanskrit grantha knot

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing cradle

• cat's cradle
• cradle cap
• from (the) cradle to (the) grave
• rob the cradle

Kids 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