bay
BAY
Bay (noun) means a body of water partly enclosed by a curve of the coastline. Example: “The fishing boats sheltered in the bay during the storm.”
noun
1
A body of water partly enclosed by a curve of the coastline.
"The fishing boats sheltered in the bay during the storm."
"They spent the afternoon swimming in a quiet bay."
"From the hotel balcony we could see the whole bay."
2
A distinct section or compartment, such as a parking space, loading area, or part of a building.
"Please reverse the van into loading bay three."
"The hospital has a dedicated bay for ambulances."
"The lorry waited in the delivery bay behind the shop."
3
The evergreen tree or shrub whose leaves are used as a cooking herb (bay leaf).
"Add a bay leaf to the stew for extra flavour."
"A bay tree grows by our back door, and we pick leaves for soup."
"She planted a young bay in a big pot on the patio."
verb
1
To bark or howl loudly, especially of hunting dogs.
"The hounds bayed as they closed in on the fox."
"The wolf bayed at the moon from the top of the hill."
"Dogs bayed in the distance as the search party set off."
adj
1
Reddish-brown in colour, especially describing a horse with a black mane and tail.
"She rode a handsome bay mare."
"The bay horse had a glossy coat and a black tail."
"Her favourite pony is a small bay gelding."
How to use bay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA curved stretch of coastline, a separate compartment or space, a cooking herb, or (as a verb) the loud howl of a hunting dog.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "at bay," meaning held off at a distance, with the bay tree or the body of water — the phrase comes from the hunting sense.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
keep at bay
bay window
bay leaf
loading bay
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Word forms
- Plural
- bays
- Third person singular
- bays
- Past tense
- bayed
- Comparative
- bayer, more bay
- Superlative
- bayest, most bay
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fishing boats sheltered in the _____ during the storm.
Etymology
From Old French "baie," from Late Latin "baia," possibly from an Iberian or Basque word for an inlet of the sea.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bay
See all rhymes for bay →Frequently asked questions
What does “bay” mean?
The word “bay” means a body of water partly enclosed by a curve of the coastline. In plain terms, a curved stretch of coastline, a separate compartment or space, a cooking herb, or (as a verb) the loud howl of a hunting dog.
How do you pronounce “bay”?
“Bay” is pronounced BAY (/ˈbeɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “bay” in a sentence?
Here is “bay” used in a sentence: “The fishing boats sheltered in the bay during the storm.”
What part of speech is “bay”?
Depending on how it is used, “bay” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “bay” come from?
The word “bay” comes from Late Latin. From Old French "baie," from Late Latin "baia," possibly from an Iberian or Basque word for an inlet of the sea.
Is “bay” a common word?
“Bay” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “bay” have?
“Bay” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a body of water partly enclosed by a curve of the coastline.
What is the difference between a bay and a gulf?
Both are areas of sea partly enclosed by land, and the terms overlap. In general a gulf is larger and more deeply set into the coastline, often with a narrower mouth, while a bay is smaller and more open. The distinction is loose, though, and many names are historical rather than based on strict size.
What is the difference between a bay and a cove?
A cove is a small, sheltered bay, usually rounded with a narrow entrance. A bay is larger and more open to the sea. In other words, a cove is a particular kind of small bay, so every cove is a bay, but a wide sweeping bay would not normally be called a cove.
What is the difference between a bay and a harbour?
A bay is a natural curve of coastline that partly encloses water. A harbour is any sheltered place, natural or built, where ships can anchor safely. A bay can act as a harbour, but the words differ in emphasis: a bay is defined by its shape, a harbour by its use as a haven for boats.
What is an example of a bay?
Famous examples include San Francisco Bay in the United States, the Bay of Bengal beside India, and Hudson Bay in Canada. Each is a stretch of sea reaching into the land within a curve of coastline. On a smaller scale, a gentle inward sweep of any beach can also be called a bay.
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