puddle

1 of 2

noun

pud·​dle ˈpə-dᵊl How to pronounce puddle (audio)
Synonyms of puddlenext
1
: a very small pool of usually dirty or muddy water
2
a
: an earthy mixture (as of clay, sand, and gravel) worked while wet into a compact mass that becomes impervious to water when dry
b
: a thin mixture of soil and water for puddling plants

puddle

2 of 2

verb

puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ How to pronounce puddle (audio)
ˈpə-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to dabble or wade around in a puddle

transitive verb

1
: to make muddy or turbid : muddle
2
a
: to work (a wet mixture of earth or concrete) into a dense impervious mass
b
: to subject (iron) to the process of puddling
3
a
: to strew with puddles
b
: to compact (soil) especially by working when too wet
c
: to dip the roots of (a plant) in a thin mud before transplanting
puddler
ˈpəd-lər How to pronounce puddle (audio)
ˈpə-dᵊl-ər
noun

Synonyms of puddle

Examples of puddle in a Sentence

Noun She accidentally stepped in a puddle and got her shoes wet. After the storm, the road was covered in deep puddles.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Feb. 2026 At Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, the baseball diamond had a different team of Mudhens on it, as a flock of Canada geese took over a huge puddle that formed on the infield. John Ramos, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Jeans frequently puddled over wider footwear styles like patent loafers and round-toe boots. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Jan. 2026 Even with the start time at Heinz Field moved back several hours from early afternoon to evening, Mother Nature remained uncooperative with the temperature in the 50s and a light rain that caused puddling on the ice. Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puddle

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English podel; akin to Low German pudel puddle, Old English pudd ditch

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of puddle was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puddle. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

puddle

1 of 2 noun
pud·​dle ˈpəd-ᵊl How to pronounce puddle (audio)
: a very small pool (as of dirty or muddy water)

puddle

2 of 2 verb
puddled; puddling ˈpəd-liŋ How to pronounce puddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to make muddy
2
: to cover with puddles
puddler
-lər How to pronounce puddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on puddle

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