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
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
The Lakers, too, kept fighting back, getting to within 113-110 on a Hachimura basket.
—
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Syracuse didn't score its first basket until a jumper by Dominique Darius with 10 seconds gone in the second quarter, but the Cardinals went on to build a 36-14 lead.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Archivists created inventories and catalogs, attached labels identifying genre and content, and developed filing systems using baskets, shelves, and wall niches.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Be ready to scoop up delicious papayas, passion fruits, and bananas by carrying cash in small denominations and a shopping basket or bag.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for basket
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Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Syracuse didn't score its first basket until a jumper by Dominique Darius with 10 seconds gone in the second quarter, but the Cardinals went on to build a 36-14 lead.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
Archivists created inventories and catalogs, attached labels identifying genre and content, and developed filing systems using baskets, shelves, and wall niches.
—Big Think, 9 Feb. 2026
Be ready to scoop up delicious papayas, passion fruits, and bananas by carrying cash in small denominations and a shopping basket or bag.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for basket
Cite this Entry
“Basket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basket. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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