babysitter

noun

ba·​by·​sit·​ter
ˈbā-bē-ˌsi-tər
variants or baby-sitter
plural babysitters or baby-sitters
Synonyms of babysitternext
1
: a person engaged usually for relatively short periods of time to take care of a child or children while the parents are away
2
: a person who cares for or watches over someone or something like someone watching over a child
Jerry Rice could be brought in as Robinson's babysitter, much in the manner that Cris Carter mentored Randy Moss in Minnesota.Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated, 30 Apr. 2001

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of babysitter was in 1937

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Cite this Entry

“Babysitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/babysitter. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

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