babysit

or ba·by-sit

[ bey-bee-sit ]

See synonyms for: babysit babysat babysitting baby%20sitter on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),ba·by·sat, ba·by·sit·ting.

to take charge of a child while the parents are temporarily away.

verb (used with object),ba·by·sat, ba·by·sit·ting.

to take watchful responsibility for (a child): We're looking for someone to babysit the kids in the evening.
to take watchful responsibility for; tend: It will be necessary for someone to babysit the machine until it is running properly.

Origin of babysit

First recorded in 1945–50

Other words from babysit

ba·by·sit·ter, ba·by-sit·ter, noun

Words Nearby babysit

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use babysit in a sentence

With another baby on the way, it's a good thing Grandma Kris Jenner is nearby to babysit.
TV’s Best and Worst Moms: ‘Veep,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ and More | The Daily Beast Video | May 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Emanuel finds herself drawn to Linda, who resembles her dead mother, and agrees to babysit her newborn child.
Jessica Biel on ‘The Truth About Emanuel,’ Motherhood, Justin Timberlake, and More | Marlow Stern | January 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They hold the kid for a few minutes, or read her a story, or "babysit" her, and think they've done a fantastic job.
Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories | Harry Siegel | February 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Even more annoying, have you heard of a guy say he has to "babysit" his children when his wife has something to do?
Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories | Harry Siegel | February 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Queen Latifah also used to babysit your kids while you were on tour?
Hip-Hop Star Flavor Flav Talks Dirty | Marlow Stern | May 31, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST

I am well enough that I can babysit or pick up a few dollars.
Warren Commission (1 of 26): Hearings Vol. I (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
And I was getting dressed to go out to a friend's house, and she was staying to babysit.
Warren Commission (11 of 26): Hearings Vol. XI (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for baby-sit

baby-sit

verb-sits, -sitting or -sat

(intr) to act or work as a baby-sitter

Derived forms of baby-sit

baby-sitting, noun, 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

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