baker

noun

bak·​er ˈbā-kər How to pronounce baker (audio)
plural bakers
1
: a person who makes breads, cakes, pastries, etc.
Any avid baker knows that successful cakes and cookies often start with butter brought to room temperature.Jack Bishop et al.
specifically : someone who engages in baking as an occupation
Shopping routinely involved separate trips to the butcher, baker and green grocer … Doris Weatherford
2
a
: a device or utensil used for baking
b
: a food that is suitable for baking
It's hard to beat the delicate flavor of new potatoes or a big, fluffy baker.Jim McCausland

Examples of baker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rather than a large signature restaurant, Patina created a baker’s dozen of intimate dining options spread across the island, ranging from Italian to Japanese-Nordic fusion. Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Thomas drives a cab in Manhattan; Belafonte puts on a baker’s hat. James Poniewozik, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 This is Leonard’s attempt to support fellow bakers and food entrepreneurs aiming to get their own concepts off the ground. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Now that the homemade sourdough trend has abated, this new cookbook could reignite bread bakers’ appetite! Sylvie Bigar, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, which has troops in western Ohio and southeastern Indiana, changed bakers for the 2024 season. The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 But that’s when the baker’s work is just beginning, Buckingham noted. Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2024 On a small online forum for sourdough bakers in the 1990s, Carl Griffith offered to send his family’s starter to anyone interested. Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 Others featured will be semifinalists in the emerging chefs, outstanding restaurants, restaurateurs, outstanding bakers and best new restaurants categories. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bakere, from baken "to bake entry 1" + -ere -er entry 2; replacing bachare, going back to Old English bæcere, from bacan "to bake entry 1" + -ere -er entry 2

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of baker was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near baker

Cite this Entry

“Baker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baker. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Baker 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Ba·​ker ˈbā-kər How to pronounce Baker (audio)
James Addison 1930–     U.S. Secretary of Treasury (1985–88); Secretary of State (1989–92)

Baker

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Newton Diehl 1871–1937 American statesman

Baker

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Ray Stannard 1870–1946 pseudonym David Grayson ˈgrā-sᵊn How to pronounce Baker (audio) American author

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