babysit
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of babysit
First recorded in 1945–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
By then, Kent had already earned the trust of neighbors who hired him to mow their lawns or babysit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
One thing is clear: These lounges aren’t designed solely to babysit restless kids.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
Social media posts show users "raising" their rice cakes, complaining about being at home to babysit, and dubbing them their new pets.
From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026
During submissions a prosecution barrister outlined Bracas' interview with police, where he told them he felt his sister treated him like garbage and made him do chores and babysit his niece.
From BBC ● Dec. 18, 2025
“Do you bribe the kids you babysit with sugar? Man, they’re lucky.”
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Yesterday, we babysat our granddaughter while our daughter and her husband went out to lunch to celebrate her birthday.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
Later, she babysat and washed dishes for an academic couple in exchange for room and board.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026
Well, first of all, the version of “Mary Poppins” that babysat millions of us wouldn’t exist.
From Salon ● Dec. 13, 2025
She babysat Lexi Jones, daughter of David Bowie and Iman, and appeared in a film nominated for best picture at the 2000 Academy Awards — all before turning 21.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025
One Saturday morning, a week or so after she resigned, Abigail babysat her granddaughter while Anne and Joe met with yet another counselor—perhaps hoping this time they would hear something different about their relationship.
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
A word of caution: You have made a substantial tally of everything you have done for your daughter, including babysitting, making 529 contributions and providing generous IVF assistance.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
After babysitting for 25 cents an hour, he dreamed up a more-profitable alternative: acting as an agent, lining up jobs for other sitters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Her version: "He needs somebody there for him 100 percent of the time ... That's not love, it's babysitting."
From Barron's ● May 6, 2026
Cleaning houses, working in a candle shop, babysitting, unloading trucks in a food terminal and finally the kitchen of local health food grocery the Turnip Truck, music was always in the background.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2026
“Anyway, my babysitting services are still part of the deal. I can’t wait.”
From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
