Baste

/beɪst/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To moisten meat with liquid, such as drippings or melted fat, during cooking to prevent it from drying out.

Be sure to baste the turkey every half hour to keep it juicy.

To sew together loosely, often to hold pieces in place before final sewing.

After cutting the fabric, I basted the pieces together to ensure everything lined up correctly.

To cook or heat something in an oven by applying moisture.

The chef basted the chicken with a mixture of herbs and butter for added flavor.

Middle English 'basten', from 'bast', to soak or wet.

baste the turkey

To periodically moisten the turkey while it cooks, usually with butter or its own juice.

baste the seams

To temporarily stitch fabric pieces together.

basting

The act of moistening meat during cooking.

baste stitch

A long, loose stitch used to temporarily hold fabric in place.

To criticize harshly.

He got baste for his poor performance in the game.

To overwhelm with something, often in a humorous context.

They basted him with jokes after he tripped on stage.