Meaning & use
a cradle
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A small bed for a baby that can be rocked gently from side to side.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a cradle', 'the cradle', or 'cradles'. Often used with 'in': 'sleeping in a cradle'.
Patterns
- in a cradle
- rock a cradle
- a baby's cradle
The baby fell asleep in the cradle within minutes.
She gently rocked the cradle until the crying stopped.
They bought a wooden cradle for their newborn daughter.
nounsingularfigurative
The place where something important began or developed.
Grammar: Used in the phrase 'the cradle of something', usually with 'of'. Often figurative.
Patterns
- the cradle of something
This region is often called the cradle of modern democracy.
The city was the cradle of the country's independence movement.
verbtransitive
To hold someone or something gently and protectively in your arms or hands.
Grammar: Takes an object: cradle a baby, cradle a cup. Often used in the passive: 'cradled in her arms'.
Patterns
- cradle someone in your arms
- cradle something in your hands
He cradled the injured bird in his hands.
She cradled the cup of tea to keep her fingers warm.
Word forms
| plural | cradles |
|---|---|
| third person singular | cradles |
| past tense | cradled |
| past participle | cradled |
| -ing form | cradling |
Common combinations
- rock a cradle
- The mother sang softly as she rocked the cradle.
- in a cradle
- The newborn lay peacefully in a cradle beside the bed.
- the cradle of civilization
- Ancient Mesopotamia is known as the cradle of civilization.
- cradle a baby
- She cradled the baby against her chest.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bassinet
- A bassinet is a small, basket-like bed for a very young baby, often with a hood; a cradle is usually larger and designed to rock.
- cot
- In British English, a cot is a bed with high sides for a baby or young child; a cradle is smaller and can be rocked.
- crib
- In American English, a crib is a baby's bed with high sides; a cradle is a smaller rocking bed, typically used for newborns.
Word family
- cradling noun
- The act of holding something gently, or a framework that supports something.
Commonly confused: a cradle or crèche? a cradle or candle?
a cradle vs crèche
A crèche is a place where young children are looked after while parents work; a cradle is the bed itself.
a cradle vs candle
A candle is a stick of wax with a wick that burns; a cradle is a baby's bed. They sound somewhat similar but mean very different things.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cradle' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A cradle is designed to be rocked, so 'rocked it gently' fits. The other actions (turning on a light, driving, cooking) are not typical of what you do with a cradle.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a cradle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.