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
cradled; cradling
ˈkrād-liŋ 
ˈkrā-dᵊl-iŋ
1
2
: to cut (grain) with a cradle scythe
3
: to place, raise, support, or transport on a cradle
obsolete
: to rest in or as if in a cradle
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
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
The town is also the cradle of the popular Mexican Tecate beer and boasts remarkable natural landscapes.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Now, women post photos of themselves in hospital rooms, cradling a baby while donning their stretchy postpartum underwear.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The same technology’s feasibility should also be assessed under different climate zones, and full life cycle assessments (cradle-to-grave) of GS are a necessity for a better understanding of the technology’s merits and limits, researchers noted.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
The town is also the cradle of the popular Mexican Tecate beer and boasts remarkable natural landscapes.
—Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
Wyoming defensive back Desman Hearns followed Brousseau’s eyes, too, stepping in front of Maher and cradling the pick at the CSU 49.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Now, women post photos of themselves in hospital rooms, cradling a baby while donning their stretchy postpartum underwear.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cradle
Cite this Entry
“Cradle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cradle. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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