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
Michael Cox, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Eric Wynalda dribbled toward the goal box and curled a shot inside the far post for an 88th-minute strike, saving the league’s debut from scoreless ignominy and lifting San Jose’s club, then named the Clash, to a 1-0 win over D.C. United.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Midway through the third quarter, Miles paused to fidget with her prescription goggles, took another dribble, then fired off a no-look scoop pass to Westbeld, who put the Irish up by four points.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dribble
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Verb
Here’s a similar situation away at Las Palmas, with Yamal dribbling forward.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Eric Wynalda dribbled toward the goal box and curled a shot inside the far post for an 88th-minute strike, saving the league’s debut from scoreless ignominy and lifting San Jose’s club, then named the Clash, to a 1-0 win over D.C. United.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Guards that can ball handle and score off the dribble in an efficient manner.
—Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Midway through the third quarter, Miles paused to fidget with her prescription goggles, took another dribble, then fired off a no-look scoop pass to Westbeld, who put the Irish up by four points.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 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 16 Apr. 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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