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bath

US //ˈbæθ// UK //bˈɑːθ// bath
  1. 1 the container (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a large, long container that you fill with water and sit in to wash your body.

    a large open container, usually fixed in a bathroom, used for washing the body while immersed in water.

    Example

    The children left their rubber ducks in the bath after they finished washing.

    Example

    The master suite features a freestanding porcelain bath positioned beneath a skylight to allow for stargazing during evening soaks.
  2. 2 the act of washing (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    the act of washing your whole body in a tub of water.

    the process or instance of immersing the body in water for hygiene or relaxation.

    Example

    A warm bath before bed helps me relax and sleep better.

    Example

    After a long day of hiking through the muddy valley, a hot bath was the only thing that could soothe his aching muscles.
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  1. 3 the room (n.)
    A2 Elementary Informal American English

    a short way of saying 'bathroom'.

    a clipping of 'bathroom', used to refer to the room containing a toilet and washing facilities.

    Example

    Excuse me, I need to use the bath before we leave the house.

    Example

    The real estate agent noted that the apartment included a half bath on the ground floor for the convenience of guests.
  2. 4 to wash someone (v.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    to wash a person or an animal in a tub of water.

    to wash a person or animal in a bath; functions transitively or intransitively.

    Example

    It is your turn to bath the dog because he is covered in mud.

    Example

    She found it difficult to bath the twins simultaneously without splashing water across the entire tiled floor.

    Usage

    In British English, 'bath' is commonly used as a verb, whereas American English prefers 'bathe'.
    Pitfall
    I need to bath the baby.
    I need to bathe the baby.

    In American English, 'bathe' is the verb and 'bath' is the noun. In British English, 'bath' can be used as a verb.

  3. 5 liquid for immersion (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    a liquid that something is dipped into, often for science or cleaning.

    a liquid or preparation in which something is immersed for a specific chemical or technical purpose.

    Example

    The metal parts were dipped into a chemical bath to remove the rust.

    Example

    The laboratory technician prepared an acid bath to etch the surface of the silicon wafers before the next stage of production.
Etymology 1

From Middle English Bathe, from Old English Baþan, from the dative case of bæþ.

Etymology 2

Nonstandard transliteration of Arabic بَعْث (baʕṯ, “resurrection”).

Idioms2 entries

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