ladle

American  

[leyd-l] / ˈleɪd l /

noun

1. a long-handled utensil with a cup-shaped bowl for dipping or conveying liquids.

2. Metallurgy. a bucketlike, refractory-lined container for transferring molten metal.

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verb (used with object)

ladled, ladling

1. to dip or convey with or as if with a ladle.

   to ladle soup into bowls.

ladle British  

/ ˈleɪdəl /

noun

1. a long-handled spoon having a deep bowl for serving or transferring liquids

   a soup ladle

2. a large bucket-shaped container for transferring molten metal

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verb

1. (tr) to lift or serve out with or as if with a ladle

Other Word Forms

• ladleful noun
• ladler noun
• unladled adjective

Etymology

Origin of ladle

before 1000; Middle English ladel, Old English hlædel. See lade, -le

Explanation

A ladle is a large spoon with a deep bowl for scooping and serving soup and other liquids. If you make clam chowder, it might be messy to serve it without using a ladle. The serving implement is called a ladle, and you can also use this word as a verb: "Will you ladle some of that tomato soup into my bowl?" The Old English version was hlædel, from hladan, "to load," plus the "tool" suffix -le (like in thimble or handle).

Example Sentences

Having won the silver ladle himself in 2018, Spruit knows what it takes to make a sensational snert.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

The movie purports to dip into the deep well of Shakespearean magnificence but emerges only with a ladle full of greasy schmaltz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

To serve, ladle into bowls and then add a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2025

Options: Add cream to soup and heat gently before serving, or ladle into individual bowls then lightly stir in a couple of tablespoons of cream into each bowl.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2024

I scoop the rice into deep bowls and ladle in broth and bring them over to where she is working.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee