baste: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal (cooking, sewing); Informal/Archaic (beating).
Quick answer
What does “baste” mean?
To pour juices or fat over meat while cooking to keep it moist.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To pour juices or fat over meat while cooking to keep it moist.
To sew with long, loose temporary stitches; to beat or thrash someone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in core meanings. The 'beating' sense is archaic in both but may appear in historical contexts.
Connotations
Primarily culinary or sartorial. The 'beating' sense carries a rustic, old-fashioned, or humorous tone.
Frequency
Low frequency overall. The cooking term is most frequent, followed by sewing. The 'beating' sense is very rare.
Grammar
How to Use “baste” in a Sentence
baste + object (e.g., baste the chicken)baste + object + with + noun (e.g., baste it with the pan juices)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “baste” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Remember to baste the joint every twenty minutes.
- She will baste the lining before the final fitting.
American English
- Baste the turkey with its own drippings.
- I need to baste this seam before I sew it on the machine.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival form.
American English
- No standard adjectival form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in historical texts (beating) or culinary/ textile studies.
Everyday
Used in cooking instructions and basic sewing contexts.
Technical
Specific term in culinary arts and tailoring/dressmaking.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “baste”
- Confusing 'baste' (cook) with 'based' (past tense of base).
- Using 'baste' for permanent sewing.
- Misspelling as 'beast' or 'based'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has low frequency. It is a specialist term in cooking and sewing.
No. While it can mean 'to beat' (archaic), it does not extend to verbal criticism. 'Lambaste' means to criticize harshly.
Basting is done during cooking with hot juices. Marinating is done before cooking, soaking food in a seasoned liquid.
No. 'Baste' (sew) comes from Old French 'bastir' (to build). 'Bastion' comes from Italian 'bastione'. They share an ancient root meaning 'build' but are not directly related in modern English.
To pour juices or fat over meat while cooking to keep it moist.
Baste is usually formal (cooking, sewing); informal/archaic (beating). in register.
Baste: in British English it is pronounced /beɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /beɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'WASTE not' – you BASTE with the juices so they're not WASTED, keeping the meat from drying out.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOURISHMENT IS ADDING MOISTURE (culinary); PREPARATION IS TEMPORARY BINDING (sewing).
Practice
Quiz
In a tailoring context, what does 'baste' mean?