First recorded in 1580–90; imitative
Use the word baa to describe the sound a sheep makes. A lamb might baa for its mother if it finds itself alone. Every language has words that mimic the cries and noises animals make, and in English sheep and goats baa. In Dutch, sheep say bè bè, and in Japanese they say meh meh. The imitative word baa, first recorded in the late 1500s, can be either a noun or a verb, depending how you use it. Baa makes a famous appearance in the well-known children's song "Baa baa Black Sheep."
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This spring, the BAA said it would add minutes to times of runners who use downhill courses to qualify.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 17, 2025
A UK-wide survey from 2024, distributed by the BAA and ENT UK, the professional body representing ear, nose and throat surgery, found that only 4% of audiologists consider themselves to be well-informed on APD.
From BBC • Feb. 15, 2025
He was in a meeting with about 30 other survivors when they all got an email from the BAA offering a chance to run the race the following year.
From Washington Times • Apr. 13, 2023
On April 13, 2022, days before the marathon, the BAA held a ceremony to honor Spencer’s years of service alongside the course.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2023
After the BAA updated its policy, English is out the $15 insurance fee and will have to submit the refunded $235 entry fee to run next year, but she won’t have to qualify again.
From Washington Post • Feb. 2, 2023
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
