huddle

1 of 2

verb

hud·​dle ˈhə-dᵊl 

huddled; huddling ˈhə-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈhəd-liŋ

transitive verb

1

British : to arrange carelessly or hurriedly

the solemnities had to be huddled through at express speed

—Manchester 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 

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)

Synonyms

Verb

• bunch
• cluster
• crowd
• pile
• press

Noun

• assembly
• congress
• convention
• convocation
• council
• gathering
• get-together
• meeting

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

Meerkats' cooperation efforts include huddling together for warmth and standing to serve as a safety lookout for the group. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

Tongue tingling acidity and huddled tannins that keep this flavor matrix intact. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Noun

There are a variety of reasons for an offense to go without a huddle, the most obvious being a two-minute attack when time is of the essence. —Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024

In their season final against the Las Vegas Raiders on Jan. 7, the Chiefs offense, led by Mahomes and Kelce, broke huddle and then immediately huddled and spun around in a circle for a few seconds before quickly breaking into formation to snap the ball. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 3 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

huddle

1 of 2 verb

hud·​dle ˈhəd-ᵊl 

huddled; huddling ˈhəd-liŋ 

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 

-ᵊl-ər

noun

huddle

2 of 2 noun

1

: a close-packed group : bunch

2

a

: conference sense 1

b

: a brief gathering of football players away from the line of scrimmage to hear instructions for the next play