babysit

verb

ba·​by·​sit ˈbā-bē-ˌsit 

babysat ˈbā-bē-ˌsat  ; babysitting

intransitive verb

: to care for children usually during a short absence of the parents

broadly : to give care

babysit for a neighbor's pets

transitive verb

: to babysit for

She babysits her grandchildren.

broadly : mind, tend

babysit house plants

police babysitting a witness

babysitter noun

Examples of babysit in a Sentence

She babysits their kids on Saturday nights.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite clarifying the difference, the SIL insisted he wouldn't be allowed to babysit again. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Palmer asked Pavlovich to babysit her and Gaimans' child. —Andrew Limbong, NPR, 4 Feb. 2025

But this year's symposium shone a light on a different area of tech transfer, where Microsoft or NASA can use the vast streams of data that pour out of a 60-car, 24-hour race to build more accurate simulations and AI tools—maybe even ones that will babysit a crewed mission to Mars. —Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025

John and Ida generously gave their time to babysit, entertain, and attend their school events and birthday parties. —Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from babysitter

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

babysit

verb

ba·​by·​sit ˈbā-bē-ˌsit 

babysat -ˌsat  ; babysitting

: to care for children usually while the parents are away for a short time

babysitter noun