babysit

Or ba·by-sit

[bey-bee-sit]

verb (used without object)

babysat, babysitting 

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

verb (used with object)

babysat, babysitting 

1. to take watchful responsibility for (a child).

   We're looking for someone to babysit the kids in the evening.

2. to take watchful responsibility for; tend.

   It will be necessary for someone to babysit the machine until it is running properly.

Other Word Forms

• babysitter noun
• baby-sitter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of babysit¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Michael suspected that the reason Gibby had offered to babysit in the first place was that her father was the reason Michael’s mom lost her job.

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We were so out of control that a lot of older kids’ parents didn’t allow them to babysit us.

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Tiffany Story, who attended a vigil for the victims, told the BBC that she used to babysit one of those killed in the explosion - Rachel Woodall.

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Tiffany Story says her cousin was also among the victims, along with four other people that she knew, including someone she once used to babysit for.

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She is happy to babysit during her holidays to help with childcare costs and said there were other bonuses.

Read more on BBC