sprinkling

noun

sprin·​kling ˈspriŋ-kliŋ How to pronounce sprinkling (audio)
1
: a limited quantity or amount : modicum
2
: a small quantity falling in scattered drops or particles
3
: a small number distributed at random : scattering

Examples of sprinkling in a Sentence

a sprinkling of fans showed up at the airport just a sprinkling of experience with the computer program
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.
Just pair up a white shirt dress with matching thigh-high boots, then top with a sprinkling of gold statement jewelry. Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 7 June 2025 Despite a sprinkling of foreign talent, the most popular player in the Sundowns squad is Themba Zwane, the 35-year-old club captain, who has just recovered from a serious Achilles injury. Simon Hughes, New York Times, 7 June 2025 Its members will include lobbyists, tech industry bigwigs and a sprinkling of White House officials, such as David Sacks, who is Trump’s crypto czar. Eric Lipton, New York Times, 14 May 2025 When the daily decided to take a walk back in time to celebrate 50 years of Women’s Fashion Industries on Aug. 15, 1950, a look at the Easter Parade and fashion trends of the day was included, noting that the parade had grown from a sprinkling of 400 people to over 4 million. Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sprinkling

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of sprinkling was in 1561

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Cite this Entry

“Sprinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprinkling. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

sprinkling

noun
sprin·​kling ˈspriŋ-kliŋ How to pronounce sprinkling (audio)
: a very small number or amount

More from Merriam-Webster on sprinkling

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