bait

play

verb \ˈbāt\

Definition of bait

transitive verb
1a : to persecute or exasperate with unjust, malicious, or persistent attacks bait minority groups : to try to make angry with criticism or insults baiting a politician during a debateb : tease
2a : to harass (a chained animal, such as a bear) with dogs usually for sportb : to attack by biting and tearing dogs baiting a fox
3a : to furnish with bait (see ²bait) bait a fishing line bait a trapb : entice, lure baiting prospective buyers
4 : to give food and drink to (an animal) especially on the road
intransitive verb
archaic : to stop for food and rest when traveling

baiter

noun

See bait defined for English-language learners

See bait defined for kids

Examples of bait in a Sentence

baiting hooks with live worms
The interviewer kept baiting the politician by asking him whether he was lying.

Recent Examples of bait from the Web

Boats called dredgers still harvest these clams for food and bait off New York City’s beaches.

— dave taft, New York Times, "Atlantic Surf Clams: Edible, and Collectible," 13 July 2017
But the notion of actual attempts to work together seemed implausible to even many of Trump’s harshest critics—a liberal fever dream at best, a return to McCarthyist red-baiting at worst.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "What If It's All True?," 11 July 2017
Another source of controversy has been the statewide imposition of a ban on baiting.

— lee bergquist and bob riepenhoff, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Survey says 88% plan to hunt this fall, even a 12% drop would mean 80,000 fewer hunters," 6 July 2017
Battle of the Sexes tells the story of Billie Jean King’s legendary 1973 triumph on the tennis court over Bobby Riggs, a loud, brash man who baited King into a match that drummed up publicity by playing on sexism.

— hunter harris, The Cut, "Emma Stone on Battle of the Sexes’ Parallels to Trump’s Election: It’s ‘Fascinating and Horrifying’," 6 July 2017
The situation has gotten worse thanks to a divisive presidential campaign punctuated by race baiting, religious jabs and anti-immigration appeals.

— terry collins, CBS News, "Here's the brutal reality of online hate," 6 July 2017
Appealing to that sweet tooth, wildlife officials baited the trap with doughnuts, icing, syrup and dog food, the Gazette reported.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity.com, "‘Oh my’: Colorado woman films bear in her garage; officials say it must be euthanized," 30 June 2017
Stu used several 5-gallon Blazo cans for his floats, baited some large hooks and set his lines out near the islands above Kanhonak.

— john schandelmeier, Alaska Dispatch News, "Tales of Lake Iliamna monster resurface with new sightings," 29 June 2017
Under the cover of shade, 10-year-old Curtis Grady cast his line, baited with a bite of hot dog, into Darby Creek.

— colton shaw, Philly.com, "Program shows kids the great outdoors - right in Philly," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bait.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bait

Middle English, from Old Norse beita; akin to Old English bǣtan to bait, bītan to bite — more at bite

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of bait

bait, badger, heckle, hector, chivy, hound mean to harass by efforts to break down. bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim. baited the chained dog badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy. badgered her father for a car heckle implies persistent annoying or belligerent interruptions of a speaker. drunks heckled the stand-up comic hector carries an implication of bullying and domineering. football players hectored by their coach chivy suggests persecution by teasing or nagging. chivied the new student mercilessly hound implies unrelenting pursuit and harassing. hounded by creditors

bait

noun

Definition of bait

1a : something (such as food) used in luring especially to a hook or trap using worms for baitb : a poisonous material placed where it will be eaten by harmful or objectionable animals
2 : lure, temptation using bargains as bait for shoppers

See bait defined for English-language learners

Examples of bait in a Sentence

cheese used for bait in mousetraps
Wait until the fish takes the bait.
a wide selection of lures and baits

Recent Examples of bait from the Web

Critics say Trump pulled a bait-and-switch on infrastructure improvements, campaigning on a plan to plow $1 trillion into rebuilding projects.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Elaine Chao boosts Trump plan for revamping transportation," 14 July 2017
However, an angler can carry a bag of those exact same fish eggs and tie them up in a net called a spawn bag and use it as bait.

— lydia lohrer, Detroit Free Press, "Fishing guides see decline in business after chumming regulations," 24 June 2017
Acquire as many draft picks as possible, and use those picks to draft premium rookie talent (the 76ers way) or as trade bait to acquire premium veteran talent or, ideally, both (the Celtics way).

— gregg doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: Paul George is leaving, Pacers are losing big. Here's what they need to do.," 19 June 2017
Food, drink, bait, tackle and poles will be available to purchase and vendors will be on hand to show off the latest in boats and other items.

— Daily Southtown, "Community news," 14 June 2017
In Southern California, Arcadia police say more than 100 suspected thieves have taken the bait.

— CBS News, "Police deliver bait packages to catch "porch pirates"," 12 June 2017
Invasive predators have been eradicated on 117 of the country’s offshore islands, and the country develops traps and bait systems used around the world.

— joseph dussault, The Christian Science Monitor, "Kiwis take front line in global war against invasive species," 12 June 2017
Trump had told about an FBI supposedly in disarray under his stewardship, refused the bait.

— jeff stein, Newsweek, "Comey Testimony: What He Didn't Say on Russia Probe Should Worry Trump Most," 10 June 2017
Williams grew up near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and started his first business by buying worms, cutting them in half and selling them in a bait-and-tackle venture.

— ellen huet, Bloomberg.com, "Startup’s Ties to Kushners Came With Benefits, Until It Got Complicated," 7 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of bait

Middle English, from Old Norse beit pasturage & beita food; akin to Old English bītan to bite

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl

BAIT Defined for English Language Learners

bait

play

verb

Definition of bait for English Language Learners

: to put a piece of food on (a hook) or in (a trap) in order to attract and catch fish or animals
: to try to make (someone) angry by using criticism or insults
: to use dogs to make (an animal, such as a bear or bull) angry or afraid

bait

noun

Definition of bait for English Language Learners

: something (such as a piece of food) that is used to attract fish or animals so they can be caught

BAIT Defined for Kids

bait

play

noun \ˈbāt\

Definition of bait for Students

: something that is used to attract fish or animals so they can be caught

bait

play

verb

Definition of bait for Students

baited

;

baiting

1 : to put something (as food) on or in to attract and catch fish or animals bait a trap
2 : to torment by mean or unjust attacks They baited him by using a nickname he hated.