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

Minnesota forward Jared McDaniels drives to the basket between Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, right, and guard D’Angelo Russell in the first half. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

The problem is that Butler struggled to finish around the basket. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2024

Burns wasn’t the only one having trouble finding the basket. —Eddie Pells, The Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2024

Cost: $1 online or $3 per person admission at the gate, plus $9 per basket. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024

Or upgrade to the bonfire and s'mores package, where you'll be set up with a bonfire and a basket full of s'mores supplies outside your villa. —Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024

Exploring her basket, Summer takes out a few plastic eggs, then embarks on an egg hunt around the family's house. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Easter weekend has arrived which means shopping for Easter egg hunts, baskets, brunches and dinners. —Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 30 Mar. 2024

One clip showed her beau installing a basket, a cup holder and a bell for his wife’s brand-new scooter. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 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