baby

[ bey-bee ]

noun

, plural ba·bies.

1. an infant or very young child.
2. a newborn or very young animal.
3. the youngest member of a family, group, etc.:

   I was the baby of the family for ten years, until my twin brothers were born.

4. an adult who behaves like a child; an immature, helpless, or fearful person:

   Just swallow the medicine—don't be such a baby!

5. a human fetus:

   The baby hasn’t arrived yet, but the nursery is ready.

6. Informal.
   1. Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. a girl or woman, especially an attractive one.
   2. a person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.
   3. (sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).
   4. a man or boy; fellow:

      He's a tough baby to have to deal with.

   5. an invention, creation, project, or the like that requires one's special attention or expertise or of which one is especially proud:

      His charitable foundation is his baby and it truly shows.

   6. an object; thing:

      Those big babies can carry a lot of cargo.

adjective

1. of or suitable for a baby:

   baby clothes.

2. of or like a baby; infantile:

   baby skin.

3. treating babies:

   a baby doctor.

   Synonyms: coddle, humor, spoil, indulge

4. small; comparatively little:

   baby eggplants.

verb (used with object)

, ba·bied, ba·by·ing.

1. to treat like a young child; pamper:

   She still babies her son although he's nearly 24.

2. to handle or use with special care; treat gently.

baby

/ ˈbeɪbɪ /

noun

1. 1. a newborn or recently born child; infant
   2. ( as modifier )

      baby food

2. an unborn child; fetus
3. the youngest or smallest of a family or group
4. 1. a newborn or recently born animal
   2. ( as modifier )

      baby rabbits

5. derogatory.
   an immature person
6. slang.
   a young woman or sweetheart: often used as a term of address expressing affection
7. a project of personal concern
8. be left holding the baby
   to be left with the responsibility
9. throw the baby out with the bath water
   to lose the essential element by indiscriminate rejection

adjective

1. prenominal comparatively small of its type

   a baby car

verb

1. to treat with love and attention
2. to treat (someone) like a baby; pamper or overprotect

Derived Forms

• ˈbabyhood, noun
• ˈbabyish, adjective

Other Words From

• ba·by·hood noun
• ba·by·ish adjective
• ba·by·ish·ly adverb
• ba·by·ish·ness noun
• ba·by·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of baby¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; babe, -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of baby¹

C14: probably childish reduplication; compare mama , papa ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see throw out the baby with the bath water .

Example Sentences

Lucy started suffering from postnatal depression when her first baby turned three months old.

From BBC

Within a matter of days she was preparing not only for a Caesarean section to deliver her baby, but also to undergo chemotherapy and have a mastectomy.

From BBC

Born into a poor family in the backstreets of Portsmouth, Michael was still a baby when his father, the youngest of 13 children, left to fight in the Korean War.

From BBC

Edinburgh Zoo's baby red panda has died from stress caused by fireworks on Bonfire Night, according to veterinary experts.

From BBC

The cost of baby milk has surged in recent years, while retailers in the UK are not allowed to advertise or offer discounts on infant formula because it might discourage breastfeeding.

From BBC

Related Words

• little
• mini
• miniature
• small