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

Boiling before baking is a labor-intensive, but laudable, nod to old-school methodology.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

Even as they veer far off script, the couple maintains a commitment to traditional boiling and baking.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

You can add cocoa powder, chocolate chips, strawberries or anything you desire to the mix before baking to craft your favorite cheesecake flavor.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Having submitted her petition to the presidential administration, Yulia is back at work, baking bread at her catering company.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

She’d even beat Mildred Powell in a baking contest!

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

Related Words

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