baste

1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈbāst 

basted; basting

transitive verb

: to sew with long loose stitches in order to hold something in place temporarily

baste

2 of 3

verb (2)

basted; basting

transitive verb

: to moisten (foods, especially meat) at intervals with a liquid (such as melted butter, fat, or pan drippings) especially during the cooking process to prevent drying and add flavor

baste a roast every half hour

baste

3 of 3

verb (3)

basted; basting

transitive verb

1

: to beat severely or soundly : thrash

2

: to scold vigorously : berate

Synonyms

Verb (3)

• scold
• lecture
• reprimand
• criticize

Examples of baste in a Sentence

Verb (3)

a tyrannical father who used the dinner hour to baste his children for their many perceived shortcomings

basted the thief with a stick while he cried out for help

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Flip the meatballs every so often and continue to baste until the butter is browned and nutty and the meatballs are cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 6 May 2025

Halibut Costa* At Costa* in Charleston, fresh halibut is brined, dried, and basted in early spring garlic, served with BBQ squid, English peas, and pancetta. —Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, continuously coating and baste the chicken in the sauce, until sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes. —Cathy Thomas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025

Toss with some of the reduced basting juices, and then grill or broil at high heat until the meat begins to crisp and caramelize. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English basten, borrowed from Middle French bastir, going back to Old Low Franconian *bastjan, going back to Germanic, "to bind or weave with bast strips" (whence Middle Dutch besten "to tie up, fasten with loose stitches," Old High German, "to bind with bast, mend"), verbal derivative of *basta- bast

Verb (2)

Middle English baisten, of obscure origin

Verb (3)

probably from Old Norse beysta; akin to Old English bēatan to beat

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for baste

• based
• braced
• cased
• chased
• chaste
• faced
• graced
• haste
• laced
• mayst
• paced
• paste

Kids Definition

baste

1 of 2 verb

ˈbāst 

basted; basting

: to sew with long loose stitches so as to hold the work temporarily in place

baster noun

baste

2 of 2 verb

basted; basting

: to moisten with liquid (as melted fat or juices) while roasting

baster noun