baby shower

American  

[bey-bee shou-er] / ˈbeɪ bi ˌʃaʊ ər /

noun

1. a party, sometimes attended by women only, for giving gifts to a prospective mother or to a couple about to be parents.

   We regularly use the stroller we were given at our baby shower, but the playpen only occasionally.

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Etymology

Origin of baby shower

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Around this time last year, it was a baby shower.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Wynns threw her a baby shower that was a cookie exchange.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Images from Bako’s baby shower were set in a 14,000-square-foot rental villa on one of Dubai’s palm islands, which markets itself as offering eight luxury bathrooms, VIP suites and a “massive assorted candy wall.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

It came to mind as I read the story of 18-year-old Nevaeh Crain, who was six months pregnant and left her baby shower early to go to the ER because she was feeling so ill.

From Slate • Nov. 5, 2024

Deep inside I hoped maybe they would give me a baby shower.

From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose