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
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
Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Even with Donovan Mitchell in as a distributor, Tyler continues to dribble at the top of the key while the other four Heat players watch him.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Irving’s game, including his legendary crossover dribble, heavily relies on such athleticism.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dribble
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Verb
Amundsen grabbed San Diego’s Anders Dreyer by the jersey as Dreyer dribbled past him near the top of the goal box.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025
Even with Donovan Mitchell in as a distributor, Tyler continues to dribble at the top of the key while the other four Heat players watch him.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
His viral videos are hypnotic, hard-to-comprehend highlight reels, featuring explosive dunks and intricate maneuvers performed by the lightning-fast athlete, such as bouncing a basketball on a fast break behind his back and then picking up the dribble to score.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
Irving’s game, including his legendary crossover dribble, heavily relies on such athleticism.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dribble
Cite this Entry
“Dribble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dribble. Accessed 22 Mar. 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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