huddled; huddling
ˈhə-dᵊl-iŋ 
ˈhəd-liŋ
1
British
: to arrange carelessly or hurriedly
the solemnities had to be huddled through at express speed—
Manchester Examiner
Manchester Examiner2
a
: to crowd together
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free …—Emma Lazarus
Emma Lazarus
b
: to draw (oneself) together : crouch
People were huddled around their radios.
3
: to wrap oneself closely in
huddled her coat around her
1
a
: to gather in a close-packed group
They huddled around the campfire.
b
: to curl up : crouch
Students huddled over their desks.
2
a
: to hold a consultation
huddled to discuss the proposal
b
football
: to gather away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down (see down entry 5 sense 3b) : to gather in a huddle (see huddle entry 2 sense 2b)
1
: a close-packed group : bunch
huddles of children
a huddle of cottages
2
a
: meeting, conference
The boss is in a huddle with the marketing director.
b
football
: a brief gathering of players away from the line of scrimmage to receive instructions (as from the quarterback) for the next down (see down entry 5 sense 3b)
Synonyms
Examples of huddle in a Sentence
Verb
We huddled around the campfire.
The sheep huddled together for warmth.
The students huddled over their desks.
Union representatives are huddling to discuss the proposal.
Noun
sheep standing in a huddle
The boss is in a huddle with the marketing director.
The quarterback called the offense into a huddle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Tongue tingling acidity and huddled tannins that keep this flavor matrix intact.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
Ben Morse, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
The big picture: The Colts (3-3) continue to struggle with injuries to a number of key players, but have proven resilient by securing big wins this season without their primary play caller in the huddle.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for huddle 
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Verb
Meerkats' cooperation efforts include huddling together for warmth and standing to serve as a safety lookout for the group.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024
Tongue tingling acidity and huddled tannins that keep this flavor matrix intact.
—Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
Noun
And in the most dramatic of finishes, the rookie phenom’s heaved pass towards the endzone was tipped by a huddle of players right into the waiting hands of Noah Brown for a 52-yard walk-off Hail Mary touchdown and 18-15 victory for the Commanders.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
The big picture: The Colts (3-3) continue to struggle with injuries to a number of key players, but have proven resilient by securing big wins this season without their primary play caller in the huddle.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for huddle
Articles Related to huddle
Dictionary Entries Near huddle
Cite this Entry
“Huddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/huddle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
huddle
2 of 2 noun1
: a close-packed group : bunch
2
b
: a brief gathering of football players away from the line of scrimmage to hear instructions for the next play
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