bake

1 of 2

verb

ˈbāk 

baked; baking; bakes

transitive verb

1

: to cook by dry heat especially in an oven

bake a cake

bake bread

baked potatoes

baking [=roasting] a chicken

2

: to dry or harden by subjecting to heat

intransitive verb

1

: to prepare food by baking it

a cook who enjoys baking

2

: to become baked

a loaf of bread baking in the oven

3

: to be or become extremely hot

sidewalks baking in the sun

bake

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or process of baking

2

: a social gathering at which a baked food is served

Examples of bake in a Sentence

Verb

She wrapped the fish in foil and baked it for 15 minutes.

How long has the cake been baking?

They baked the bricks in the sun.

The streets were baking in the afternoon heat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Whether spread on warm pancakes, melted onto corn on the cob, baked into our favorite cakes, cookies and pies or enjoyed atop fresh bread, both have earned a permanent place in many kitchens. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 June 2026

Besides scones, Seegel also bakes up other pastries, cookies and cakes. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026

Noun

Cover it with foil then chill and bake as directed, adding 10 minutes to the first bake time. — Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026

Most candied nut recipes call for a low-and-slow bake in the oven, but this recipe cooks quickly on the stove. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English bacan; akin to Old High German bahhan to bake, Greek phōgein to roast

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing bake

• bake sale
• pre-bake
• wake-and-bake

Rhymes for bake

• ache
• ake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake
• jake
• lake

Kids Definition

bake

1 of 2 verb

ˈbāk 

baked; baking

1

: to cook or become cooked by dry heat especially in an oven

2

: to dry or harden by heat

bake bricks

3

: to be or become very hot

a sidewalk baking in the sun

baker noun

bake

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or process of baking

2

: a social gathering at which a baked food is served

especially : clambake