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

The big secret to perfect sweet iced tea is baking soda. —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2024

Gigi Principe, an aspiring actress who likes to bake, was fifth. —Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2024

There’s also baking soda—an age-old natural whitener. —Isabella Ubaldi, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024

Yes, even after baking the quiche came out a lovely, pale green. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 1 hour or until deep golden brown on top. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2024

Kreutzer is adamant on baking with fresh ingredients and from scratch Kreutzer believes baked goods should always be made fresh. —Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2024

Mixing currants into flour prevents sinking during baking. —Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 13 Apr. 2024

That’s partly because gender is baked into the infrastructure of salons. —Ben Kesslen Dustin Miller, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Noun

Though the sky was gray and threatening rain, this tradition of cooking oysters over a fire, one most commonly associated with the coastal Lowcountry region of the Southern United States, reminded the friends of summer clam bakes. —Vanessa Golembewski, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Add batter to pan, and bake: Spread batter evenly in an ungreased 9x13-inch glass baking dish. —Jessica Furniss, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2024

The current queen is Hannah Neeleman, a homesteading mother of eight, who milks cows, bakes, dances, and takes part in beauty pageants, to the delight and incomprehension of her followers. —Sophie Elmhirst, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024

While assembling these souse and bakes, the complex history of the Caribbean comes into full view, as does the resilience of Grenadians who have turned the foods of their oppression such as saltfish into profoundly beautiful, delicious dishes. —Lelani Lewis, Saveur, 29 Feb. 2024

Lewis’ version, which also features creamy slices of avocado sandwiched between the bakes, was often served at family brunches during her childhood in South London. —Lelani Lewis, Saveur, 29 Feb. 2024

Her vibrant personality, detailed instructions, and focus on beginner-friendly bakes captured a loyal following. —Ian Shepherd, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

This cheesy bake tops grits with creamy half-and-half and bacon custard. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024

For the record, one recipe tester said the flavors in this bake were like a McDonald’s cheeseburger but better. —Corey Inscoe, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

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

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