baby

[bey-bee]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of baby¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of baby¹

C14: probably childish reduplication; compare _mama , _papa ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see throw out the baby with the bath water.

Example Sentences

A successful retirement may start with some baby steps rather than a wholesale makeover of your life.

Read more on MarketWatch

Experts say that is one reason volunteerism has slipped among baby boomers in recent years.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But this baby plot is the pride and joy of the tight-knit group of green thumbers who tend to it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Whenever Roberts makes a dramatic move in a case involving high stakes for democracy, such as in Citizens United and Shelby County, he favors a baby step first.

Read more on Salon

The 2025 director of public health annual report said 27,000 babies, children and young people up to the age of 19 lived in "relative poverty".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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