basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈba-skit 

 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

ˈba-skit-ˌlīk 

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

Lily Sheppard sparked the spree with a pair of baskets as part of her team-high 15 points. —Charles Baggarly and, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2025

Leading 20-10, a run of five consecutive baskets on five possessions delivered a death blow to Sage Hill’s hopes. —Martin Henderson, Orange County Register, 25 Jan. 2025

Tangles of leaves topple from baskets of ferns tied to the framing that holds up its roof, and pots of every size are scattered across tables and floors — palm trees, roses, and other green, yellow and purple plants sprouting from their dirt. —Jill Langlois, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025

The Irish made the first two baskets of the second to take the lead for good. —Jimmy Golen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing basket

• basket case
• basket catch
• basket hilt
• basket-of-gold
• basket star
• basket weave
• Easter basket
• made/scored a basket
• market basket
• pollen basket
• put all one's eggs in one basket
• Venus's flower-basket

Kids Definition

basket

noun

bas·​ket ˈbas-kət 

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

-ˌlīk 

adjective