bathes; bathed; bathing
1
chiefly US
: to take a bath : to wash yourself in a bath
I always bathe [=(Brit) bath] in the morning.
2
chiefly US
: to wash (someone) in a container filled with water : to give a bath to (someone)
We'll bathe [=(Brit) bath] the baby after she eats.
3
somewhat old-fashioned
: to swim for pleasure
We bathed [=swam] in the ocean.
4
: to wash or rinse (a part of the body)
If the chemical comes in contact with the eyes, bathe the eyes with water for 10 minutes.
5
: to cover (an area or surface) with light
The moon bathed the town in light. = The town was bathed in moonlight.
Cite this Entry
“Bathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bathe. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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