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

The CMA's recommendations include the government issuing NHS-branded baby milk and removing branding from baby milk in hospitals.

From BBC

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, himself a new parent, is calling for tighter pricing regulations on the sale of baby formula, amid concerns about rising costs and out-of-control marketing to new parents.

From BBC

The high cost of baby formula is forcing many parents to "resort to extreme and unsafe measures to feed their babies", an MP has told the Commons.

From BBC

The MP also said he regularly read "heart-breaking posts" on local forums from parents in "utter despair" begging for baby food donations to tide them over until the next pay day.

From BBC

Folic acid is particularly important in early pregnancy, aiding proper development of the baby's brain, skull and spinal cord.

From BBC

Related Words

• little
• mini
• miniature
• small