Bait

/beɪt/ · noun

Meaning

Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net..

Definitions by Sense

1. Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
2. Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
3. Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.
4. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
5. (Internet slang) A post intended to elicit a, usually strong or negative, reaction from others.
6. (transitive) To attract with bait; to entice.
7. (transitive) To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
8. (transitive) To lay baits in an environment to control pest species.

Example Sentences

attach bait to a hook

catch a few using bait

One of the “girls” used in this way, Pamella Bordes, later spoke of being “part of an enormous group … used as sexual bait.”

A short stop, but no refreshment. Such baits are frequently given by the natives of the principality to their keffels, or horses, particularly after climbing a hill.

The tediousness of a two hours' bait at Petty-France, in which there was nothing to be done but to eat without being hungry, and loiter about without any thing to see, next followed […]

Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.

a crooked pin […] baited with a vile earthworm

to bait a bear with dogs

Synonyms for bait

Antonyms for bait

Related Words

Word Forms

• baits
• b8
• baiting
• baited
• baiter
• baitest

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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