baking

American  

[bey-king] / ˈbeɪ kɪŋ /

noun

1. the activity or practice of cooking food using dry heat, especially in an oven.

   Baking can give cuts of poultry a crispy, browned exterior.

2. food cooked using dry heat, especially bread, pastry, cakes, etc..

   Nothing puts me into the Christmas spirit like the smells of holiday baking.

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adjective

1. extremely hot.

   It was unseasonably cold last week, but this week it's absolutely baking.

2. used in preparing food cooked with dry heat, especially bread, pastry, cakes, etc..

   I can't make cookies without a baking tray.

3. suited for use in pies, pastry, etc..

   Proper baking apples are needed for a good apple crumble.

baking British  

/ ˈbeɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the process of cooking bread, cakes, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a baking dish

2. the bread, cakes, etc, cooked at one time

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adjective

1. (esp of weather) very hot and dry

Etymology

Origin of baking

First recorded in 1300–50; 1650–60 baking for def. 3; Middle English; bake ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; bake ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

Some proposed baking banana bread, while others considered peeling, chopping and freezing the fruit.

From BBC

It was loaded with a big bag of flour, a huge silver mixing bowl, salt, buttermilk, and baking powder.

From Literature

“If you like it, I’ll add it to the bakery’s baking list as a regular item. We need more gluten-free options on our menu.”

From Literature

"I was up until midnight," says the lawyer, who turns to baking as a release from his day job.

From BBC

Outside another Manchester supermarket we meet Alina, 24, who says the rising cost of chocolate means she is buying less than she used to - and is now baking more at home instead.

From BBC

Related Words

• blistering
• boiling
• red-hot
• scorching
• searing
• sizzling
• sweltering