Bay
/beɪ/
Definitions
3 meaningsA body of water partially enclosed by land
/beɪ/
A body of water
The boat was anchored in the calm bay.
💡 Simply: A part of the ocean that is mostly surrounded by land
More Examples
The scenic bay attracted many tourists.
How It's Used
"The ship sailed into the sheltered bay."
A recessed area or alcove
/beɪ/
A compartment or recess
The kitchen has a bay where we store our supplies.
💡 Simply: A part of a room that sticks out
More Examples
The library features a cozy reading bay.
How It's Used
"The house had a lovely bay window overlooking the garden."
A dark reddish-brown color
/beɪ/
A reddish-brown color
The paint on the door was a deep bay.
💡 Simply: A color like dark red-brown
More Examples
The sunset painted the sky with shades of bay.
How It's Used
"Her horse was a beautiful bay color."
Idioms & expressions
at bay
In a state of being held off or checked; cornered.
"The police had the robber at bay."
From Old French *baie, from Latin *bacca ('berry'), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰak-. The meaning shifted from 'berry' to 'inlet' or 'body of water', influenced by the shape of the bay resembling a berry.
The word's use as a geographical term dates back to the Middle Ages.
Memory tip
Think of a 'bay leaf' - it's curved like a bay.
Word Origin
"berry"