plural baits
: something (such as a piece of food) that is used to attract fish or animals so they can be caught
We always use live bait [=worms that are alive] when we fish.
cheese used for/as bait in mousetraps
Wait until the fish takes the bait.
a wide selection of lures and baits
—often used figurativelyusing bargains as bait for shoppers [=using bargains to attract shoppers]
The police waited for the bank robbers to take the bait. [=to be tricked into doing the thing that would cause them to be trapped or caught]
(chiefly Brit) The interviewer kept asking the politician whether he was lying, and he rose to the bait by getting angry.
baits; baited; baiting
1
: to put a piece of food on (a hook) or in (a trap) in order to attract and catch fish or animals
She baited the mousetraps with pieces of cheese. = She used cheese to bait the traps.
baiting hooks with live worms
a baited hook/trap
2
: to try to make (someone) angry by using criticism or insults
The interviewer kept baiting the politician by asking him whether he was lying.
3
: to use dogs to make (an animal, such as a bear or bull) angry or afraid
—used in combination
bear-baiting
bull-baiting
Cite this Entry
“Bait.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bait. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
