basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈba-skit 

 British also  ˈbäs-

1

a

: a receptacle made of interwoven material (such as osiers)

b

: any of various lightweight usually wood containers

c

: the quantity contained in a basket

2

: something that resembles a basket especially in shape or use

3

a

: a net open at the bottom and suspended from a metal ring that constitutes the goal in basketball

b

: a field goal in basketball

4

a

: an aggregate of values (as of selected currencies) the average of which serves as a monetary standard

b

: a selection of financial instruments (such as equities, futures, or options) the values of which reflect market fluctuations

5

: a ring around the lower end of a ski pole that keeps the pole from sinking too deep in snow

basketlike

ˈba-skit-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of basket in a Sentence

They brought their lunch in a picnic basket.

His shot missed the basket completely.

Recent Examples on the Web

With the Mavericks focusing on limiting Tatum and Brown’s drives to the basket, that’s naturally going to create looks for players like Al Horford and Derrick White. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024

Three-point baskets: Blue (6): Passmore 4, McDowell 2. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2024

Resort Fee: The $35 daily destination fee includes Wi-Fi, pool and beach towels, shave ice, fitness center, welcome basket, and cruiser bicycles. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2024

Neither monthly pay is enough for a family to buy a basic basket of goods, which costs about $380. —Regina Garcia Cano, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French; akin to Old French baschoue wooden vessel; both from Latin bascauda kind of basin, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish basc necklace — more at fascia

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing basket

• basket case
• basket catch
• basket hilt
• basket-of-gold
• basket star
• basket weave
• Easter basket
• made/scored a basket
• market basket
• pollen basket
• put all one's eggs in one basket
• Venus's flower-basket

Kids Definition

basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈbas-kət 

1

a

: a container made by weaving together materials (as reeds, straw, or strips of wood)

b

: the contents of a basket

2

: something that resembles a basket

3

a

: a net open at the bottom and hung from a metal ring that is the goal in basketball

b

: a score made in basketball by tossing the ball through the basket

basketlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective