basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈba-skit How to pronounce basket (audio)
 British also  ˈbä-
1
a
: a receptacle made of interwoven material (such as osiers)
b
: any of various lightweight usually wood containers
c
: the quantity contained in a basket
2
: something that resembles a basket especially in shape or use
3
a
: a net open at the bottom and suspended from a metal ring that constitutes the goal in basketball
b
: a field goal in basketball
4
a
: an aggregate of values (as of selected currencies) the average of which serves as a monetary standard
b
: a selection of financial instruments (such as equities, futures, or options) the values of which reflect market fluctuations
5
: a ring around the lower end of a ski pole that keeps the pole from sinking too deep in snow
basketlike adjective

Examples of basket in a Sentence

They brought their lunch in a picnic basket. His shot missed the basket completely.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chapman scored just one more basket before UCI reeled off its game-ending run. Staff and News Service Reports, Orange County Register, 4 Nov. 2024 Other baskets come with beer cheese as well as steak filets, with tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024 Miso Robotics has a lot riding on its ability to persuade fast-food chains to incorporate Flippy -- a robotic arm that drops fryer baskets into sizzling oil -- into their kitchens. Queenie Wong Los Angeles Times (tns), arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024 But the One Who Knocked on Her Door Was a Killer On the morning of May 26, 1990, Marlene opened the door of her home in Wellington to what appeared to be a delivery person dressed as a clown with balloons and a basket of flowers. Kc Baker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for basket 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French; akin to Old French baschoue wooden vessel; both from Latin bascauda kind of basin, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish basc necklace — more at fascia

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of basket was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near basket

Cite this Entry

“Basket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basket. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

basket

noun
bas·​ket ˈbas-kət How to pronounce basket (audio)
1
a
: a container made by weaving together materials (as reeds, straw, or strips of wood)
b
: the contents of a basket
2
: something that resembles a basket
3
a
: a net open at the bottom and hung from a metal ring that is the goal in basketball
b
: a score made in basketball by tossing the ball through the basket
basketlike adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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