/ ˈbɑːskɪt; NAmE ˈbæs-/ noun
1.
a container for holding or carrying things. Baskets are made of thin strips of material that bends and twists easily, for example plastic, wire or wicker :
a shopping basket
a picnic basket
a clothes / laundry basket (= in which dirty clothes are put before being washed)
a wicker / wire basket
a cat / dog basket (= in which a cat or dog sleeps or is carried around)
—picture at balloon
—see also waste-paper basket
2.
the amount contained in a basket :
a basket of fruit
3.
the net and the metal ring it hangs from, high up at each end of a basketball court ; a point that is scored by throwing the ball through this net :
to make / shoot a basket
4.
( economics ) a number of different goods or currencies :
the value of the rupee against a basket of currencies
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IDIOMS
see egg noun
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French basket , of unknown ultimate origin.