Cradle — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkrā-dᵊl/ cra·dle

Meaning & Definition of Cradle

Cradle (noun)

  1. a bed or cot for a baby usually on rockers or pivots
  2. a framework or support suggestive of a baby's cradle
  3. a framework of bars and rods

Cradle (verb)

  1. to place or keep in or as if in a cradle
  2. shelter, rear
  3. to support protectively or intimately

Cradle (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a place of origin

    "Philadelphia is known as the cradle of liberty because it was there that the Declaration of Independence was signed"

    similar: birthplace, home, mother country, motherland
    related: hometown, Blighty (chiefly British), country, nativity, old country, roots

  2. a point or place at which something is invented or provided

    "the 1848 meeting at Seneca Falls, New York, is often regarded as the cradle of the women's suffrage movement"

    similar: font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, root, seedbed, source, spring, well, wellspring
    related: beginning, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go, inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold, baseline, first base, ground zero, square one

Cradle (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in hold, grip

    similar: clamp, cling, grab, grip, hold, bear-hug, clasp, crush, embrace, enclasp, enfold, grasp, hug, strain, bosom, embosom, encircle, entwine, envelop, enwind, fold, lock, twine, wrap, cuddle, fondle, nestle, nuzzle, pat, pet, snuggle, stroke

  2. as in watch, care (for)

    similar: attend, care (for), cultivate, mind, minister (to), nurture, watch, father, mother, discipline, educate, instruct, mentor, school, teach, train, tutor, breed, bring up, foster, nourish, nurse, raise, rear, edify, enlighten, indoctrinate, feed, provide (for), supply, advance, forward, further, promote, prepare, direct, guide, lead, shepherd, show
    opposite: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mishandle, mistreat, ignore, neglect, harm, hurt, injure

Related Entry: Cat's cradle (noun)

Cat's cradle is a different word from Cradle. The synonyms below are for cat's cradle, not for cradle.

  1. as in maze, labyrinth

    similar: labyrinth, maze, knot, snarl, tangle, cobweb, spiderweb, entanglement, mesh(es), morass, net, noose, quagmire, quicksand, snare, tanglement, toil(s), trap, web

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cradle

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cradle:

birthplace, home, mother country, motherland, font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, root, seedbed, source, spring, well, wellspring, clamp, cling, grab, grip, hold, bear-hug, clasp, crush, embrace, enclasp, enfold, grasp, hug, strain, bosom, embosom, encircle, entwine, envelop, enwind, fold, lock, twine, wrap, cuddle, fondle

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cradle

Words with the opposite meaning of Cradle:

abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mishandle, mistreat, ignore, neglect, harm, hurt, injure

Related Words for Cradle

hometown, Blighty, country, nativity, old country, roots, beginning, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go, inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold, baseline, first base, ground zero, square one

Word Forms of Cradle

Inflections: cradled, cradling

Origin & Etymology of Cradle

Middle English cradel, from Old English cradol; perhaps akin to Old High German kratto basket, Sanskrit grantha knot

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Cradle

cradle cap, cat's cradle, from (the) cradle to (the) grave, rob the cradle

Frequently Asked Questions about Cradle

What does "Cradle" mean?

"Cradle" means a bed or cot for a baby usually on rockers or pivots. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a bed or cot for a baby usually on rockers or pivots. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cradle"?

Other words for "Cradle" include birthplace, home, mother country, motherland, font, fountain, fountainhead and origin. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cradle" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cradle"?

There are 114 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cradle". Common alternatives include birthplace, home, mother country, motherland, font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, root and seedbed.

What is the opposite of "Cradle"?

Antonyms of "Cradle" include abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mishandle, mistreat, ignore and neglect.

How do you use "Cradle" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cradle" in a sentence: "Philadelphia is known as the cradle of liberty because it was there that the Declaration of Independence was signed"; "the 1848 meeting at Seneca Falls, New York, is often regarded as the cradle of the women's suffrage movement".

Is "Cradle" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cradle" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Cradle"?

"Cradle" is pronounced /ˈkrā-dᵊl/ and divided into syllables as cra·dle.

What is the origin of the word "Cradle"?

"Cradle" comes from Middle English cradel, from Old English cradol; perhaps akin to Old High German kratto basket, Sanskrit grantha knot. First known use: before 12th century.