basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈba-skit 

 British also  ˈbäs-

1

a

: a receptacle made of interwoven material (such as osiers)

b

: any of various lightweight usually wood containers

c

: the quantity contained in a basket

2

: something that resembles a basket especially in shape or use

3

a

: a net open at the bottom and suspended from a metal ring that constitutes the goal in basketball

b

: a field goal in basketball

4

a

: an aggregate of values (as of selected currencies) the average of which serves as a monetary standard

b

: a selection of financial instruments (such as equities, futures, or options) the values of which reflect market fluctuations

5

: a ring around the lower end of a ski pole that keeps the pole from sinking too deep in snow

basketlike

ˈba-skit-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of basket in a Sentence

They brought their lunch in a picnic basket.

His shot missed the basket completely.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also be sure to wipe the filter basket and the steamer arm with a clean, dry towel after each use. —Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Apr. 2024

Amenities: Pool, small food menu, tennis court, pet friendly Bonus Tip: Ask the concierge to prepare you a picnic basket to enjoy in the gardens on a shady afternoon. —Monica Mendal, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

Murray didn’t even see the biggest basket of his career. —Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024

Consider picking up these woven storage baskets for just $22, along with this $30 eye-catching four-tier bookshelf that comes with a pair of drawers for extra storage. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

Among the other Lakers stragglers, Rui Hachimura made two baskets while Gabe Vincent and Spencer Dinwiddie didn’t even attempt a shot. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024

Kevin Durant #7 of the United States celebrates the teams gold medal victory with the United States flag after the France V USA basket final for men at the Saitama Super Arena during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games on August 7, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. —Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2024

Fox passed DeMarcus Cousins for the sixth-most points in franchise history and the second-most points in the Sacramento era with a first-quarter basket. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 13 Apr. 2024

So, pack your picnic basket, gather your loved ones, and enjoy the outdoors and the bounty of the season—spring is in full swing. —Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French; akin to Old French baschoue wooden vessel; both from Latin bascauda kind of basin, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish basc necklace — more at fascia

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing basket

• basket case
• basket catch
• basket hilt
• basket-of-gold
• basket star
• basket weave
• Easter basket
• made/scored a basket
• market basket
• pollen basket
• put all one's eggs in one basket
• Venus's flower-basket

Kids Definition

basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈbas-kət 

1

a

: a container made by weaving together materials (as reeds, straw, or strips of wood)

b

: the contents of a basket

2

: something that resembles a basket

3

a

: a net open at the bottom and hung from a metal ring that is the goal in basketball

b

: a score made in basketball by tossing the ball through the basket

basketlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective