bathe

1 of 2

verb

bathed; bathing

transitive verb

1
2
: to wash in a liquid (such as water)
3
: to apply water or a liquid medicament to
4
: to flow along the edge of : lave
5
: to suffuse with or as if with light

intransitive verb

1
: to take a bath
2
: to go swimming
3
: to become immersed or absorbed
bather noun

bathe

2 of 2

noun

1
2
British : swim, dip

Example Sentences

Verb the cool waters of the North Atlantic bathe the island's shores bathe your contact lens with the solution before inserting them Noun We went for a bathe in the sea.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Start in your own yard Birds Birds, who need water for bathing and drinking, are particularly drawn to the sight and sound of moving water. Monica Cardoza, Washington Post, 15 May 2023 Self-exams are a way to remain vigilant about changes to the breasts that may be noticed during routine activity, or while bathing and getting dressed. Zee Krstic, Good Housekeeping, 14 May 2023 There, a doctor recommended that Diane be moved out of Reed Place and into a local nursing home called Eventide, which would help with daily activities like bathing and eating. Katie Engelhart, New York Times, 9 May 2023 The Ancient Greeks used to visit natural springs to recharge; legend has it that Hercules bathed in them to rest and regain his strength between his Labors. Daliah Singer, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2023 When staff is stretched thin, every staff member must work more quickly to carry out important tasks like administering medications, bathing residents, changing adult diapers and moving residents into beds or wheelchairs. Sahana Jayaraman, AZCentral.com, 1 May 2023 Grossman pointed out that witch culture is traditionally bathed in strong aesthetics: crystals, stones, incense, flowing gowns. Jessica Iredale, Town & Country, 28 Apr. 2023 The weather- and rust-resistant bird bath will last for season after season so your dad can enjoy watching the birds play and bathe in the water. Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2023 Today spectators sit in lane-side bleachers, bathed in blue light for a pleasing TV background. Dave Kallmann, Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2023 See More

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

Middle English, from Old English bathian; akin to Old English bæth bath

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bathe was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bathe

Cite this Entry

“Bathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bathe. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

bathe

verb
ˈbāt͟h
bathed; bathing
1
: to take a bath
2
: to go swimming
3
: to give a bath to
bathe the baby
4
: to apply a liquid to
bathe the eyes
5
: to cover with or as if with a liquid
a scene bathed in moonlight
bather
ˈbā-t͟hər
noun

Medical Definition

bathe

1 of 2 verb
bathed; bathing

transitive verb

1
: to wash in a liquid (as water)
2
: to apply water or a liquid medicament to
bathe the eye with warm water

intransitive verb

: to take a bath

bathe

2 of 2 noun
British
: the act or action of bathing : bath

More from Merriam-Webster on bathe

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