verb
babysit
BAY-bee-siht
verb
1
To look after someone else's child temporarily, often in exchange for pay.
"She babysits for the neighbors most Saturday nights."
"Can you babysit the twins while we're at dinner?"
2
To keep an eye on a process, machine, or task in case something goes wrong.
"IT had to babysit the server migration all weekend."
How to Use Babysit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take care of someone's child for a while, or more loosely, to closely monitor something so it doesn't go wrong.
Common pairings
babysit for someone
babysit the kids
Word Forms
babysat past tense, babysitted past tense, babysits singular
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She _____ for the neighbors most Saturday nights.
Etymology
Formed by dropping "-ter" from "babysitter."