dribbled; dribbling
ˈdri-b(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to issue sporadically and in small bits
2
: to let or cause to fall in drops little by little
3
a
: to propel by successive slight taps or bounces with hand, foot, or stick
dribble a basketball
dribble a puck
b
: to hit (a ball) without much force so that it bounces slowly along the ground
1
: to fall or flow in drops or in a thin intermittent stream : trickle
2
: to let saliva trickle from the corner of the mouth : drool
3
: to come or issue in piecemeal or desultory fashion
4
1
: a tiny or insignificant bit or quantity
2
: a small trickling stream or flow
3
: an act, instance, or manner of dribbling a ball or puck
Synonyms
Examples of dribble in a Sentence
Verb
Juice dribbled down his chin.
She accidentally dribbled wine onto the rug.
Dribble olive oil over the warm bread before serving.
She dribbled across the basketball court.
He skillfully dribbled the soccer ball towards the goal.
Noun
He wiped a dribble of juice from the corner of the baby's mouth.
She gave the ball a dribble before passing it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jay King, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
And despite cities trying to put the brakes on all-out parties of the past, college kids are dribbling into South Florida for a day at the beach and a night at the bar.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025
Watkins took a few dribbles, gathered and finished with his left hand while drawing a foul, setting the scene for a go-ahead free throw.
—David Delgado, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dribble 
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Verb
After White stole the spotlight for a quick stretch, Tatum dribbled to his right, squared his body in mid-air and drilled a long 3-pointer over Mikal Bridges to give Boston an 89-70 lead.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
And despite cities trying to put the brakes on all-out parties of the past, college kids are dribbling into South Florida for a day at the beach and a night at the bar.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
Perry turned around, took one dribble and launched a prayer from about 70-feet out.
—Ryan Canfield, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025
Watkins took a few dribbles, gathered and finished with his left hand while drawing a foul, setting the scene for a go-ahead free throw.
—David Delgado, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dribble
Dictionary Entries Near dribble
Cite this Entry
“Dribble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dribble. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dribble
2 of 2 noun1
: a small trickling flow
2
: an act or instance of dribbling a ball or puck
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