bask

verb

basked; basking; basks

intransitive verb

1
: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere
basking in the warmth of the sun
2
: to take pleasure or derive enjoyment
basked in the spotlight

transitive verb

obsolete : to warm by continued exposure to heat
basks at the fire his hairy strength …John Milton

Examples of bask in a Sentence

We sat basking in the sun. Tourists were basking on the beaches. He stood before the audience, basking in their applause.
Recent Examples on the Web Indeed, la dolce vita imbues just about everything in Italy, with tourists flocking to all corners of the country to bask in the afterglow of their immersive slow living. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024 For now, the Tritons get to bask in the good vibes created by earning perhaps the biggest win in program history. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024 Guests at the Four-Star Lodge at Torrey Pines not only get to bask in the property’s American Craftsman design (be sure to reserve accommodations overlooking the green and the Pacific Ocean beyond it) and have an opportunity to experience the Four-Star spa, but they are also guaranteed a tee time. Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Films bask either in beauty or in crime, in blood, massacres, blissful idealism, the exoticization of the proletariat, Proust, Balzac, financial scandals, the patience of populations, the flourishing of hunger. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Any cat owner knows how much our feline friends seem to bask in the coziness of a box. Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024 Some seemed to bask in living as rich sellouts, and some insisted on presenting a political critique, but all reveled in being condemned by bewildered Egyptian parents. Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Iowa immediately called a timeout to allow for a moment of celebration, and then held a ceremony after the game to allow Clark and her fans time to fully bask in the accomplishment. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Trump glides to victory in Nevada caucuses Former President Donald Trump basked in his fourth victory on the road to a Republican presidential nomination, claiming all 26 of Nevada’s delegates in the state’s GOP-run caucuses last night. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bask.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old Norse bathask, reflexive of batha to bathe; akin to Old English bæth bath

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of bask was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near bask

Cite this Entry

“Bask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bask. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bask

verb
: to lie or relax in a pleasant warmth or atmosphere
bask in the sun
basked in their success

More from Merriam-Webster on bask

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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