bake

1 of 2

verb

ˈbāk 

baked; baking; bakes

transitive verb

1

: to cook by dry heat especially in an oven

bake a cake

bake bread

baked potatoes

baking [=roasting] a chicken

2

: to dry or harden by subjecting to heat

intransitive verb

1

: to prepare food by baking it

a cook who enjoys baking

2

: to become baked

a loaf of bread baking in the oven

3

: to be or become extremely hot

sidewalks baking in the sun

bake

2 of 2

noun

1

: the act or process of baking

2

: a social gathering at which a baked food is served

Examples of bake in a Sentence

Verb

She wrapped the fish in foil and baked it for 15 minutes.

How long has the cake been baking?

They baked the bricks in the sun.

The streets were baking in the afternoon heat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There’s some murkiness about where the recipe originated; both baking brands While Lily and Martha White claim to have pioneered the beloved bread. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024

Flavors of toffee, baking spices, wood spice notes of cinnamon, and toasted oak, complemented by a touch of dark chocolate, dominate the palate. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Noun

Then wrap the dough around each chocolate ball and bake; the cookies spread and collapse around the chocolate. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

Prepare frosting and crush candy canes: While cake bakes, stir together buttercream frosting and peppermint extract in a small bowl. —Jessica Furniss, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English bacan; akin to Old High German bahhan to bake, Greek phōgein to roast

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing bake

• bake sale
• pre-bake
• wake and bake

Kids Definition

bake

1 of 2 verb

ˈbāk 

baked; baking

1

: to cook or become cooked by dry heat especially in an oven

2

: to dry or harden by heat

bake bricks

3

: to be or become very hot

a sidewalk baking in the sun

baker noun

bake

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or process of baking

2

: a social gathering at which a baked food is served

especially : clambake