baster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal (culinary term); Very informal/vulgar (slang/term of abuse).
Quick answer
What does “baster” mean?
A kitchen utensil used for pouring meat juices or melted fat over roasting meat to keep it moist during cooking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A kitchen utensil used for pouring meat juices or melted fat over roasting meat to keep it moist during cooking.
Informal term for a person who habitually strikes someone, especially a child, as a form of punishment; a term of abuse for a despicable person. Also a rare agent noun from 'baste' (sewing).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The culinary sense is understood in both but more common in American recipe contexts. The abusive slang sense ('You little baster!') is historically British but now archaic/vintage.
Connotations
Culinary: neutral. Slang: strongly negative, implying violence or contempt.
Frequency
Culinary term appears occasionally in cookbooks/videos. Slang usage is now rare and old-fashioned.
Grammar
How to Use “baster” in a Sentence
[Subject] used the baster to [verb] the [meat].[Subject] is a [adjective] baster.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “baster” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He basters the joint every twenty minutes.
American English
- She basters the turkey to keep the breast from drying out.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard]
American English
- [Not standard]
adjective
British English
- The basting process is crucial.
American English
- A basting technique involves frequent moistening.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Not applicable outside historical linguistics or culinary studies.
Everyday
Specific to home cooking, especially for roasting large meats.
Technical
Culinary equipment term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “baster”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “baster”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “baster”
- Misspelling as 'bastard' in culinary contexts.
- Assuming it is a common, high-frequency word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A baster is a tube with a bulb for sucking up and squirting liquid. A basting brush has bristles for painting liquid onto food.
Yes, but it's an old-fashioned, chiefly British slang term meaning a person who beats someone (from 'baste' meaning to thrash). It's now very rare and considered offensive.
No, it's a low-frequency word. Most English speakers would understand it in a cooking context but might not own one or use the term daily.
It is almost exclusively a noun referring to the kitchen tool. The related verb is 'to baste'.
A kitchen utensil used for pouring meat juices or melted fat over roasting meat to keep it moist during cooking.
Baster is usually informal (culinary term); very informal/vulgar (slang/term of abuse). in register.
Baster: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbeɪstə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbeɪstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A Baster is for BASTing - it helps you bAste fAster.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL FOR PERSON (metonymy): 'The cook is a master with the baster.'
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a baster?