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 De La Salle opened the third quarter with a 13-5 surge to cut a 10-point halftime deficit down to two, Rice settled things down for the Vikings with an inside basket. Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025 The main ranch house harbored a Native American rug collection and baskets and works by painters Edward Borein and Charles Marion Russell. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 Unanimous hasn’t put all its eggs in the TV or film production baskets. Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 14 Jan. 2025 Toronto tracked down the long rebound and leaked out for the easiest basket of the game — and what ended up being the game-winner. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 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 18 Jan. 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
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