dumpling

noun

dump·​ling ˈdəmp-liŋ 

plural dumplings

1

a

: a small mass of dough cooked by boiling or steaming

chicken soup with dumplings

b

: a casing of dough enclosing a typically savory filling (such as meat or seafood) and cooked usually by boiling, steaming, or pan-frying see gyoza, pot sticker, wonton

c

: a usually baked dessert of fruit wrapped in dough

apple dumplings

2

: something soft and rounded like a dumpling

especially : a plump person or animal often of short stature

"I wanted to do it [rowing] because it was something I had never heard of. I was a little dumpling as well. I wanted to lose weight."

—Spencer Turrin, quoted in The Daily Telegraph (England)

Examples of dumpling in a Sentence

We had vegetarian dumplings as an appetizer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chicken and dumplings recipe Store leftover chicken and dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2024

Kolu Inn, a tavern at the Estonian Open Air Museum in Tallinn, serves traditional dishes such as mulgi puder, as well as traditional rye bread, meat dumplings, and more. —Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2024

The company is also offering its Polish classics on a stand at the Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, redefining the conventional perception of stadium bites with mouth-watering and nutritious dumplings, like pierogi and uszka. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

Plus, more than a dozen side items, including chicken ‘n’ dumplings and roasted carrots, are available to order in 13-inch-by-10-inch pans. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of lump

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

dumpling

noun

dump·​ling ˈdəm-pliŋ 

1

: a portion of dough cooked by boiling or steaming

2

: a dessert of fruit baked in biscuit dough