bake

1 of 2

verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
It is baked into how we are taught to write essays, report the news, attend meetings and even dinner parties. Sarah Stein Lubrano, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025 Reheat by wrapping in foil and baking at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or heat individual slices in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
The nurse from Carmarthen impressed viewers and judges alike over 10 weeks of competition, ultimately taking home the title thanks to her inventive bakes. Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 Cook everything as directed in a large skillet, then transfer to a greased baking dish and bake as directed. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bake

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bake was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bake. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

bake

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on bake

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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