ladle

1 of 2

noun

la·​dle ˈlā-dᵊl 

1

: a deep-bowled long-handled spoon used especially for dipping up and conveying liquids

2

: something resembling a ladle in form or function

ladleful

ˈlā-dᵊl-ˌfu̇l 

noun

ladle

2 of 2

verb

ladled; ladling ˈlā-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈlād-liŋ

transitive verb

: to take up and convey in or as if in a ladle

Synonyms

Noun

• dipper
• scoop
• spoon

Verb

• bucket
• dip
• lade
• scoop
• spoon

Examples of ladle in a Sentence

Noun

the chef looked around for a ladle to add the chicken broth to the pot

Verb

The soup was ladled into the bowls.

ladling the wine into cups

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For large servings, ladle into soup bowls and garnish each with a couple of tortilla strips, celery leaf and fresh lime slice. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025

Keep on low heat in a crock pot or on the stove top with a ladle to keep warm. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2024

Verb

To serve, ladle the chili into bowls and finish with toppings like fresh cilantro, spring onions and cheese with tortillas and lime wedges on the side. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

Anas and his 11-year-old sister grab an old food can with a twisted wire handle – a makeshift pail – to carry food and soups ladled out by the charity kitchen. —Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ladel, from Old English hlædel, from hladan

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

circa 1532, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ladle

1 of 2 noun

la·​dle ˈlād-ᵊl 

: a spoon or dipper with a long handle and a deep bowl used for dipping

ladleful

-ˌfu̇l 

noun

ladle

2 of 2 verb

ladled; ladling ˈlād-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to take up and carry in or as if in a ladle