baby

1 of 3

noun

ba·​by ˈbā-bē How to pronounce baby (audio)
plural babies
1
a(1)
: an extremely young child
especially : infant
She just had a baby.
I hear the baby crying.
sometimes used of an adult daughter or son to express parental nostalgia or affection
Our baby has gone off to college. You'll always be my baby.
(2)
: an extremely young animal
b
: the youngest of a group
He is the baby of the family.
2
a
: one that is like a baby (as in behavior)
When it comes to getting shots, I'm a real baby.
b
: something that is one's special responsibility, achievement, or interest
The project was his baby.
3
slang
a
: girl, woman
often used in address
b
: boy, man
often used in address
Hey baby, nice car!
c
used as a term of endearment
Hey baby. How was your day?
4
: person, thing
is one tough baby
babyhood noun
babyish adjective

baby

2 of 3

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or being an extremely young child
a baby bonnet
2
: much smaller than the usual
baby carrots
a baby grand piano
Take baby steps.

baby

3 of 3

verb

babied; babying

transitive verb

1
: to tend to indulge with often excessive or inappropriate care and solicitude
babying their only child
2
: to use or treat with care
babying a sore knee
Choose the Right Synonym for baby

indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings.

indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.

indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse

pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.

pampered by the amenities of modern living

humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.

humored him by letting him tell the story

spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.

foolish parents spoil their children

baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.

babying students by grading too easily

mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.

refused to mollycoddle her malingering son

Example Sentences

Noun I hear the baby crying. The baby is just learning to crawl. a bird and its babies My sister is the baby of the family. “Only 32? Oh, you're just a baby!” When it comes to getting shots, I'm a real baby. Don't be such a baby—you'll get your turn. Nothing's gone right since my baby went away. Verb That boy will never learn to stand up for himself if you don't stop babying him. He was babying his injured foot. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Teigen wrote at the time, referring to her baby's spit-up being captured on camera. Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Apr. 2023 Finally, breastfeeding reduces the risk of future breast cancer and has many benefits for your baby. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 5 Apr. 2023 She's been my baby since she was born. Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2023 Her baby was born with an addiction to opioids as a result, according to an indictment. Julia Marnin The Charlotte Observer (tns), al, 4 Apr. 2023 Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey are cherishing every moment with their baby girl. Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 4 Apr. 2023 Tell her her babies miss her. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Apr. 2023 Rihanna posted a new video of her 10-month-old baby adorably keeping the star from getting her workout in. Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 1 Apr. 2023 Zoe didn’t immediately breastfed her baby when Turner was there. Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2023
Verb
According to the Christmas story, in addition to angels, the star of Bethlehem (also called the Christmas star) appeared in the sky to guide people to baby Jesus. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2022 Claire Danes is getting mixed reactions to baby No. 3. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2023 The cake symbolizes the three kings bringing gifts to baby Jesus. Karla Pope, Good Housekeeping, 24 Jan. 2023 Mandy Moore's son Gus is already the best big brother to baby Ozzie. Georgia Slater, Peoplemag, 22 Dec. 2022 Children leave their shoes out the night of Jan. 5 and anxiously await the arrival of the kings — Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar — who brought special gifts to baby Jesus. Betty Chavarria, Washington Post, 30 Dec. 2022 Thank you to all the people who have given me and baby girl so much love from near and far and @melindafrenchgates for hosting this incredible evening. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 26 Dec. 2022 From cars and dolls to baby toys and video games, your gift list is covered. Ellen Mcalpine, Good Housekeeping, 9 Dec. 2022 From hot chocolate, to PJs, to sweat pants, to hats, to baby clothes, to dog clothes... Melanie Rud, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baby.' 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

Noun

Middle English, from babe

Adjective

attributive use of baby entry 1

Verb

verbal derivative of baby entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of baby was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near baby

Cite this Entry

“Baby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baby. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

baby

1 of 3 noun
ba·​by ˈbā-bē How to pronounce baby (audio)
plural babies
1
a
: a very young child
especially : infant
b
: a very young animal
2
: the youngest of a group
3
: a childish person
babyhood noun
babyish adjective

baby

2 of 3 adjective
1
: being or relating to a baby
a baby deer
my baby sister
baby clothes
2
: much smaller than usual
a baby grand piano
baby carrots
a baby spaceship

baby

3 of 3 verb
babied; babying
1
: to use or treat as a baby : pet
2
: to operate or treat with care
babied the car

Medical Definition

baby

noun
ba·​by ˈbā-bē How to pronounce baby (audio)
plural babies
1
: an extremely young child
especially : infant
2
: an extremely young animal
baby adjective
babyhood noun
babyish adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on baby

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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