Cradle meaning

What does “cradle” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“cradle” is a noun and verb with 10 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a baby bed with sides and rockers.

cradle

noun

  1. a baby bed with sides and rockers

  2. where something originated or was nurtured in its early existence

    “the birthplace of civilization”

  3. birth of a person

    “he was taught from the cradle never to cry”

  4. a trough that can be rocked back and forth; used by gold miners to shake auriferous earth in water in order to separate the gold

    Synonymsrocker

verb

  1. hold gently and carefully

    “He cradles the child in his arms”

  2. bring up from infancy

  3. hold or place in or as if in a cradle

    “He cradled the infant in his arms”

  4. cut grain with a cradle scythe

  5. wash in a cradle

    “cradle gold”

  6. run with the stick

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University