babysit

or ba·by-sit

[ bey-bee-sit ]

verb (used without object)

, ba·by·sat, ba·by·sit·ting.

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

verb (used with object)

, ba·by·sat, ba·by·sit·ting.

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 Words From

• ba·by·sit·ter ba·by-sit·ter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of babysit¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

With another baby on the way, it's a good thing Grandma Kris Jenner is nearby to babysit.

From The Daily Beast

Emanuel finds herself drawn to Linda, who resembles her dead mother, and agrees to babysit her newborn child.

From 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.

From 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?

From The Daily Beast

Queen Latifah also used to babysit your kids while you were on tour?

From The Daily Beast

I am well enough that I can babysit or pick up a few dollars.

From Project Gutenberg

And I was getting dressed to go out to a friend's house, and she was staying to babysit.

From Project Gutenberg