baste

[ beyst ]

/ beɪst /

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See synonyms for: baste / basting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.

to sew with long, loose stitches, as in temporarily tacking together pieces of a garment while it is being made.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of baste

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English basten, from Anglo-French, Middle French bastir “to build, baste,” from Germanic; compare Old High German bestan “to mend, patch,” Middle High German besten “to lace, tie”; see also bast

Words nearby baste

bastard-saw, bastard title, bastard toadflax, bastard wing, bastardy, baste, bastel house, baster, bast fiber, basti, Bastia

Other definitions for baste (2 of 3)

baste²

[ beyst ]

/ beɪst /

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.

to moisten (meat or other food) while cooking, with drippings, butter, etc.

noun

liquid used to moisten and flavor food during cooking: a baste of sherry and pan juices.

Origin of baste

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English basten, baist, of obscure origin; perhaps from Old French, Middle French basser “to soak (bread), moisten (meat)”

Other definitions for baste (3 of 3)

baste³

[ beyst ]

/ beɪst /

verb (used with object), bast·ed, bast·ing.

to beat with a stick; thrash; cudgel.

to denounce or scold vigorously: an editorial basting the candidate for irresponsible statements.

Origin of baste

First recorded in 1525–35; variant of baist, perhaps from Old Norse beysta “to beat, thrash”; perhaps from baste² (the ladle for cooking used as a weapon)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use baste in a sentence

If you do choose to cook a brined turkey, do it yourself — wet or dry — rather than buying a “self-basting” or already-brined turkeyso you don’t accidentally end up with a salt bomb.
How to brine a turkey: Wet vs. dry and the results you can expect|Aaron Hutcherson|November 19, 2021|Washington Post
She was going to slow-roast it overnight and baste it every hour.
Puerto Rican pernil is a standout Thanksgiving roast. Just guard that crispy skin.|Monti Carlo|November 18, 2021|Washington Post
Artichoke Dip with Ripped Bread DippersWhen all your guests are arriving but you’re still running around cleaning bathrooms and basting turkey, the best distraction is artichoke dip.
Hear Me Out: There Should Be More Bread at Thanksgiving|Dayna Evans|November 16, 2021|Eater
Yet it is also bounded by pointed efforts to objectively measure what people actually think, efforts that are themselves quickly basted with subjective assessment.
Politics is not rational|Philip Bump|September 29, 2021|Washington Post

Stainless-steel tongs, grill brushes, meat thermometers, basting brushes, and all sizes of forks are essential parts of the BBQ master’s toolbox.
Optimal Grilling Accessories and Grilling Tools For The Best Backyard BBQ|Irena Collaku|June 25, 2021|Popular-Science
Place them in front of a clear fire, baste constantly, and serve with slices of lemon round the dish.
Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode|Harriet A. de Salis
Sure and the artful baste who made it little thought he was going to find us as purty a hiding-place as was ever made.
Commodore Junk|George Manville Fenn
Mike, poor man, regretted very much that he had no gun, as he might perhaps shoot “the baste.”
Hudson Bay|R.M. Ballantyne
"Here, baste these fowls," cried the cook, handing a long-handled spoon to one of the scullions.
The Court Jester|Cornelia Baker
Of course, pork tenderloins will be pretty sure to yield drippings enough to baste with.
A Course of Lectures on the Principles of Domestic Economy and Cookery|Juliet Corson

British Dictionary definitions for baste (1 of 3)

baste¹

/ (beɪst) /

verb

(tr) to sew with loose temporary stitches

Word Origin for baste

C14: from Old French bastir to build, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German besten to sew with bast

British Dictionary definitions for baste (2 of 3)

baste²

/ (beɪst) /

verb

to moisten (meat) during cooking with hot fat and the juices produced

Word Origin for baste

C15: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for baste (3 of 3)

baste³

/ (beɪst) /

verb

(tr) to beat thoroughly; thrash

Word Origin for baste

C16: probably from Old Norse beysta

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

baste

Origin of baste

Words nearby baste

Other definitions for baste (2 of 3)

Origin of baste

Other definitions for baste (3 of 3)

Origin of baste

Words related to baste

How to use baste in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for baste (1 of 3)

Word Origin for baste

British Dictionary definitions for baste (2 of 3)

Word Origin for baste

British Dictionary definitions for baste (3 of 3)

Word Origin for baste