To coddle means to treat someone with excessive care and protection, shielding them from difficulties or discomfort they could reasonably handle themselves. When parents coddle their children, they might do all their homework for them, never let them experience disappointment, or rush in to solve every small problem. It's like wrapping someone in bubble wrap when they just need a jacket.

The word often carries a critical tone. There's a difference between caring for someone and coddling them. A teacher who helps struggling students is supportive, but one who never lets students face challenging problems or make mistakes might be coddling them. A coach who protects players from every scrape is coddling; one who teaches them to push through difficulty is preparing them for real competition.

When you coddle someone, you may prevent them from developing resilience and independence. A coddled child might struggle to handle setbacks or solve problems alone later on.

The word can also mean to cook eggs gently in water below boiling temperature, though this meaning is less common today.