dumpling

noun

dump·​ling ˈdəmp-liŋ How to pronounce dumpling (audio)
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 Dough Zone Dumpling House is now open in Walnut Creek, offering Contra Costa County its selection of specialty dim sum dumplings. Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The packages of six dumplings are regularly in most Trader Joe's frozen section. The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 Dolly, 78, and Rachel, 64, grew up with nine other siblings near the Smoky Mountains in Sevierville, Tennessee, where their mom would make classic comfort foods like dumplings every Christmas (a tradition Dolly still continues with today). Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Choices include baked fish cakes, corned beef and cabbage, lamb and dumpling stew, and shepherd’s pie. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024 Beef Stew With Sweet Potato Dumplings Sweet potato dumplings make this stew both heartier and more nutritious. Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 Additionally, each vendor will be competing in a dumpling tasting competition where judges and guests will vote for best taste, best presentation, most unique, judges’ choice and best overall dumpling. Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The dumplings were produced by CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corporation in California on December 7 and shipped to Trader Joe’s locations nationwide, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Then, choose either pork, chicken, shrimp or veggie dumplings. The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dumpling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of lump

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dumpling was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near dumpling

Cite this Entry

“Dumpling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dumpling. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dumpling

noun
dump·​ling ˈdəm-pliŋ How to pronounce dumpling (audio)
1
: a portion of dough cooked by boiling or steaming
2
: a dessert of fruit baked in biscuit dough

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