bash

1 of 2

verb

bashed; bashing; bashes

transitive verb

1
: to strike violently : hit
also : to injure or damage by striking : smash
often used with in
2
: to attack physically or verbally
media bashing
celebrity bashing
basher noun

bash

2 of 2

noun

1
: a forceful blow
2
: a festive social gathering : party
3
chiefly British : try, attempt
have a bash at it
Phrases
bash away
British, informal
: to work hard at something
That is exactly what I tell myself as I bash away in the gym …Jay Rayner
bash on
British, informal
: to continue to work at something : carry on
… I'm a lot less sure about what I'm meant to be, or do, in a time of undeniable middle age. I guess I will just bash on as ever, and hope I don't appear too ridiculous as I do so.Becky Sheaves
bash out
British, informal
: to produce (something) quickly : bang out
Three years ago Piaggio disappointed enthusiasts by axing the retro Vespa's production. But Indian company LML continued to bash out copies that flew out of the dealers, especially in Italy …Harriet Ridley
bash up
chiefly British, informal
: to attack (someone) physically : to hit (someone) repeatedly
Umpires being lampooned or even bashed up [=beaten up] in schools, college and league cricket is hardly rare.Ayaz Memon

Examples of bash in a Sentence

Verb I bashed my arm against the door. Someone bashed him over the head with a chair. They tried to bash the door open. Noun We threw her a birthday bash. She gave me a bash on the head.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
For the gadget lover Meet the new star of her backyard bashes. Sarah Grossbart, wsj.com, 9 Nov. 2023 Rick Bayless, the Chicago restaurateur behind Frontera Grill, bashed the show during a conversation at The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum in June. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2023 Whirring turbines bashed fish that attempted to scoot past. Tony Schick, ProPublica, 31 Oct. 2023 Soon after the midterms, Adams was handed another opportunity to bash fellow Democrats: the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants in New York City. Max Rivlin-Nadler, The New Republic, 27 Oct. 2023 Sports Commentary: In Michigan sign-stealing saga, NCAA calling a play USC should recognize Oct. 21, 2023 Utah didn’t need him this time as backup Barnes had a career-best performance, bashing USC’s brutal defense for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023 Now at age 59, the drummer still whips up Tasmanian Devil blurs of beats on 72 Seasons, Metallica’s latest full-length, as his bandmates bash out guitar riffs and sing about the hardships of growing up. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2023 The Oakland Athletics are being bashed for their choice of gift for retiring Detroit Tigers legend Miguel Cabrera Thursday night. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 22 Sep. 2023 One attendee said that revelers had jumped on top of the car in celebration and bashed in the fake windows before the vehicle was set ablaze. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
Noun
Swift — who is a big fan of the ballroom bash and has previously performed on the show — is currently wrapping up the South American leg of her megahit Eras Tour. Anna Chan, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2023 As the cool kid on the block, the hotel drew crowds for its party scene, from poolside bashes to late club nights. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023 Wear it with jeans for a casual glam look or dress it up with a skirt for the office holiday bash. Kathy Barr, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023 The model arrived at the red carpet of her annual Halloween bash with an entire team of people, who were all part of her elaborate 2023 costume — a peacock. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 19 Nov. 2023 Heidi Klum’s Halloween Party Heidi Klum, appearing in an elaborate peacock costume, hosted her annual Halloween bash on Tuesday in New York, with guests including Rachel Zegler, Camila Cabello, Reneé Rapp, H.E.R., Keegan-Michael Key, Taylor Lautner and Questlove. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2023 His campaign took him to San Diego’s El Cortez Hotel on June 3, for a big bash the night before the election. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2023 Warren previously held a fundraising bash in 2020 that raised $10 million for the reelection of Trump, who approved Energy Transfer’s controversial Dakota Access pipeline a month after taking office. Maxine Joselow, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 The casual bash celebrates the work of those from Ireland — and some who are not — who contribute to film, television and music. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Nov. 2023 See More

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

Verb

origin unknown

Noun

noun derivative of bash entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1744, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bash was in 1744

Dictionary Entries Near bash

Cite this Entry

“Bash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bash. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

bash

verb
ˈbash
1
: to strike violently : beat
2
: to smash by a blow
3

More from Merriam-Webster on bash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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