baba

noun

ba·ba ˈbä-(ˌ)bä

-bə

variants or baba au rhum

ˈbä-(ˌ)bä-ō-ˈrəm

-bə

plural babas or babas au rhum

: a rich cake soaked in a rum and sugar syrup

Word History

Etymology

French, from Polish, literally, old woman

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of baba was in 1813

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Browse Nearby Words

Baathism

baba

babacoote

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Baba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baba. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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