UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbeɪbi/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈbeɪbi/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(bā′bē)
ba•by(bā′bē),USA pronunciationn., pl.-bies,adj., v.,-bied, -by•ing. n.
Developmental Biologyan infant or very young child.
Zoologya newborn or very young animal.
the youngest member of a family, group, etc.
an immature or childish person.
Developmental Biologya human fetus.
Informal Terms
, Sex and Gender, Slang Terms[Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.]a girl or woman, esp. an attractive one.
Sex and Gendera person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.
Sex and Gender(sometimes cap.) an affectionate or familiar address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., esp. by a male to a female).
a man or boy; chap; fellow:He's a tough baby to have to deal with.
an invention, creation, project, or the like that requires one's special attention or expertise or of which one is especially proud.
an object; thing:Is that car there your baby?
adj.
of or suitable for a baby:baby clothes.
of or like a baby; infantile:baby skin.
small; comparatively little:a baby car.
treating babies:a baby doctor.
v.t.
to treat like a young child; pamper.
to handle or use with special care; treat gently.
1350–1400; Middle English; see babe, -y2
ba′by•hood′, n. ba′by•ish, adj. ba′by•ish•ly, adv. ba′by•ish•ness, n. ba′by•like′, adj.