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 of baste

Verb (3)

• scold
• lecture
• criticize
• reprimand

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

Return chicken and mushrooms to pan and cook, basting with sauce with a large spoon, until warmed through, about 1 minute. —Hana Asbrink, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Brush with the yakitori sauce and continue grilling, turning and basting with the sauce every 30 seconds, until the chicken is glazed and cooked through, about 2 minutes more. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 22 Jan. 2026

Nestle the pork directly on the veggie bed and roast for up to 2 hours more, basting the veggies and pork every 20 minutes, until the internal temperature of the pork reads 165 degrees and the veggies are tender and golden. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025

Silicone Craft Series Basting Brush Grillmasters and bakers swear by this silicone basting brush that’s designed with an ergonomic handle and made from heat-resistant, conical bristles. —Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 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