baby-sit

or ba·by·sit

[bey-bee-sit]

See more synonyms for baby-sit 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 baby-sit for (a child): We've placed an ad for someone to baby-sit the youngsters in the evening.
to take watchful responsibility for; tend: It will be necessary for someone to baby-sit the machine until it is running properly.

Origin of baby-sit

First recorded in 1945–50

Related formsba·by-sit·ter, ba·by·sit·ter, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for babysit

notice, perceive, feed, nourish, vaccinate, cradle, inspect, command, do, protect, manage, watch, maintain, cultivate, keep, preserve, patrol, secure, oversee, defend

Examples from the Web for babysit

Contemporary Examples of babysit

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of babysit

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
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

British Dictionary definitions for babysit

baby-sit

verb -sits, -sitting or -sat

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

Derived Formsbaby-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

Word Origin and History for babysit

also baby-sit, 1947, from baby (n.) + sit (v.); figurative use (often contemptuous) by 1968. Babysitting is from 1946.