baby

American  

[bey-bee] / ˈbeɪ bi /

noun

plural

babies

1. an infant or very young child.

2. a newborn or very young animal.

3. the youngest member of a family, group, etc..

   I was the baby of the family for ten years, until my twin brothers were born.

4. an adult who behaves like a child; an immature, helpless, or fearful person.

   Just swallow the medicine—don't be such a baby!

5. a human fetus.

   The baby hasn’t arrived yet, but the nursery is ready.

6. Informal.

   1. Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. a girl or woman, especially an attractive one.

   2. a person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.

   3. (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).

   4. a man or boy; fellow.

      He's a tough baby to have to deal with.

   5. 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.

   6. an object; thing.

      Those big babies can carry a lot of cargo.

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adjective

1. of or suitable for a baby.

   baby clothes.

2. of or like a baby; infantile.

   baby skin.

3. treating babies.

   a baby doctor.

   Synonyms:

   coddle, humor, spoil, indulge

4. small; comparatively little.

   baby eggplants.

verb (used with object)

babied, babying

1. to treat like a young child; pamper.

   She still babies her son although he's nearly 24.

2. to handle or use with special care; treat gently.

baby British  

/ ˈbeɪbɪ /

noun

1. 1. a newborn or recently born child; infant

   2. ( as modifier )

      baby food

2. an unborn child; fetus

3. the youngest or smallest of a family or group

4. 1. a newborn or recently born animal

   2. ( as modifier )

      baby rabbits

5. derogatory an immature person

6. slang a young woman or sweetheart: often used as a term of address expressing affection

7. a project of personal concern

8. to be left with the responsibility

9. to lose the essential element by indiscriminate rejection

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adjective

1. (prenominal) comparatively small of its type

   a baby car

verb

1. to treat with love and attention

2. to treat (someone) like a baby; pamper or overprotect

baby Idioms  

1. see throw out the baby with the bath water.

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Other Word Forms

• babyhood noun
• babyish adjective
• babyishly adverb
• babyishness noun
• babylike adjective

Etymology

Origin of baby

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; babe, -y ²

Example Sentences

The utter subservience of American pop culture to baby boomers over the past 50-odd years has engendered justifiable resentment among members of the subsequent alphabet generations.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a genuine calamity—there are deaths, as well as displacement of babies and the ill, including one nun recently diagnosed with tuberculosis but who had no choice but to continue caring for the kids.

From The Wall Street Journal

A wave of the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus is beginning to wash over the United States, sending greater numbers of babies and toddlers to the hospital for professional care.

From Los Angeles Times

The Maryland woman, Cherie Craft, claimed Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder exposed her to asbestos, leading to her diagnosis of mesothelioma in January 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal

A man arrested on a Friday, his baby born the following Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• babe
• chick
• child
• kid
• toddler
• youngster