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.
After a Rozier three, Brooklyn scored the next five baskets to extend the margin to 98-84, with Miami going scoreless for a 5:18 stretch. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2025 But late Wednesday night, the Lakers and the Hornets struck a deal with the Lakers trading their best remaining assets (outside of Austin Reaves) to Charlotte for Williams, a promising 23-year-old center who can put pressure on the basket alongside Doncic. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025 Donation basket that will be raffled off at the event or items to add to a basket. Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Then the younger Stearns made his first basket, a 3-pointer with 1:27 left to stop the bleeding. Martin Henderson, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2025 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 16 Feb. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!