baby
an infant or very young child.
a newborn or very young animal.
the youngest member of a family, group, etc.: I was the baby of the family for ten years, until my twin brothers were born.
an adult who behaves like a child; an immature, helpless, or fearful person: Just swallow the medicine—don't be such a baby!
a human fetus: The baby hasn’t arrived yet, but the nursery is ready.
Informal.
Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. a girl or woman, especially an attractive one.
a person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.
(sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).
a man or boy; fellow: He's a tough baby to have to deal with.
an invention, creation, project, or the like that requires one's special attention or expertise or of which one is especially proud: His charitable foundation is his baby and it truly shows.
an object; thing: Those big babies can carry a lot of cargo.
of or suitable for a baby: baby clothes.
of or like a baby; infantile: baby skin.
treating babies: a baby doctor.
small; comparatively little: baby eggplants.
to treat like a young child; pamper: She still babies her son although he's nearly 24.
to handle or use with special care; treat gently.
Origin of baby
1Other words for baby
Other words from baby
- ba·by·hood, noun
- ba·by·ish, adjective
- ba·by·ish·ly, adverb
- ba·by·ish·ness, noun
- ba·by·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use baby in a sentence
In Rwanda, as we watched the young fathers hold their babies, we saw a contented look in their eyes.
How Good Dads Can Change the World | Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe men use the dolls to practice the basics of caring for babies.
How Good Dads Can Change the World | Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe bye bye is being sung, incidentally, by mothers to their babies condemned to death by King Herod.
Other female penguins would have their babies “misused before the very eyes of its parents.”
Lovable ‘Madagascar’ Penguins Are Known to Rape and Torture in Real Life | Asawin Suebsaeng | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“When immigrants hear ‘anchor babies,’ they hear ‘they hate us,’” says Sharry.
Get Ready to Start Hearing About ‘Executive Amnesty for Anchor Babies’ | Eleanor Clift | November 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The same outpourings of affection are seen in the dealings of children with their toy babies and animals.
Children's Ways | James SullyAnd you know that all babies, especially little babies, sleep a great deal.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeYung Pak's earliest days were spent very much as are those of most babies, whether they live in Korea or America.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeSome of those babies we know are cared for on cushions of down and wrapped in soft flannels and delicate muslins.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton WadeJosie says, "I think they were real cross not to let a little girl just look at their babies."
British Dictionary definitions for baby
/ (ˈbeɪbɪ) /
a newborn or recently born child; infant
(as modifier): baby food
an unborn child; fetus
the youngest or smallest of a family or group
a newborn or recently born animal
(as modifier): baby rabbits
usually derogatory an immature person
slang a young woman or sweetheart: often used as a term of address expressing affection
a project of personal concern
be left holding the baby to be left with the responsibility
throw the baby out with the bath water to lose the essential element by indiscriminate rejection
(prenominal) comparatively small of its type: a baby car
to treat with love and attention
to treat (someone) like a baby; pamper or overprotect
Origin of baby
1Derived forms of baby
- babyhood, noun
- babyish, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with baby
see throw out the baby with the bath water.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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