baker

noun

bak·​er ˈbā-kər 

plural bakers

1

: a person who makes breads, cakes, pastries, etc.

Any avid baker knows that successful cakes and cookies often start with butter brought to room temperature.

—Jack Bishop et al.

specifically : someone who engages in baking as an occupation

Shopping routinely involved separate trips to the butcher, baker and green grocer …

—Doris Weatherford

2

a

: a device or utensil used for baking

b

: a food that is suitable for baking

It's hard to beat the delicate flavor of new potatoes or a big, fluffy baker.

—Jim McCausland

Examples of baker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even for the most from-scratch Southern bakers, there are times when everyone has to turn to a box of cake mix. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025

The appliance that’s racked up thousands of perfect ratings from reviewers is ideal for any avid baker with tight kitchen space. —Toni Sutton, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025

Since then, a number of bakers across the country have introduced new versions of the classic sweet, which typically takes the form of a buttery shortcrust shaped like an ingot and filled with pineapple, which is sometimes mixed with winter melon. —Sarah Archer Gisela Williams Martha Cheng Carla Valdivia Nakatani Ryan Haase, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

More than 20 Bay Area and NorCal restaurants, chefs, bakers and wine/cocktail specialists have been named semifinalists in the 2025 James Beard Awards competition. —Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bakere, from baken "to bake entry 1" + -ere -er entry 2; replacing bachare, going back to Old English bæcere, from bacan "to bake entry 1" + -ere -er entry 2

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing baker

• baker's chocolate
• baker's dozen
• baker's yeast

Biographical Definition

Baker 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Ba·​ker ˈbā-kər 

James Addison 1930–     U.S. Secretary of Treasury (1985–88); Secretary of State (1989–92)

Baker

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Newton Diehl 1871–1937 American statesman

Baker

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Ray Stannard 1870–1946 pseudonym David Grayson ˈgrā-sᵊn  American author