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

Chicken wings basted in a tangy guava beer sauce. —Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 7 Feb. 2026

Continually basting the wings with the glaze is the secret to forming a shiny, sticky crust. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026

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

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