basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈba-skit 

British also ˈbä-

1

a

: a receptacle made of interwoven material (such as osiers)

b

: any of various lightweight usually wood containers

c

: the quantity contained in a basket

2

: something that resembles a basket especially in shape or use

3

a

: a net open at the bottom and suspended from a metal ring that constitutes the goal in basketball

b

: a field goal in basketball

4

a

: an aggregate of values (as of selected currencies) the average of which serves as a monetary standard

b

: a selection of financial instruments (such as equities, futures, or options) the values of which reflect market fluctuations

5

: a ring around the lower end of a ski pole that keeps the pole from sinking too deep in snow

basketlike

ˈba-skit-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of basket in a Sentence

They brought their lunch in a picnic basket.

His shot missed the basket completely.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cryer scored 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting and scored consecutive baskets to give the Warriors control of the game after the Mavericks cut the lead to just three with five minutes remaining. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 July 2026

Mitchell has adjusted his offseason workouts to prepare for those open catch-and-shoot opportunities created by Antetokounmpo’s drives to the basket. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

With Antekounmpo and Adebayo’s open-court style, James should also enjoy getting easy baskets. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

According to a Lake Havasu City Police incident report, obtained by TMZ and other outlets, officers discovered the handwritten missive tucked in a black basket in a bathroom closet not far from where Sheets’ body was found. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French; akin to Old French baschoue wooden vessel; both from Latin bascauda kind of basin, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish basc necklace — more at fascia

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing basket

• basket case
• basket catch
• basket hilt
• basket-of-gold
• basket star
• basket weave
• Easter basket
• made/scored a basket
• market basket
• pollen basket
• put all one's eggs in one basket
• Venus's flower-basket

Kids Definition

basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈbas-kət 

1

a

: a container made by weaving together materials (as reeds, straw, or strips of wood)

b

: the contents of a basket

2

: something that resembles a basket

3

a

: a net open at the bottom and hung from a metal ring that is the goal in basketball

b

: a score made in basketball by tossing the ball through the basket

basketlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective