noun
bay
An aromatic laurel leaf used to flavor food.
The cook adds bay to the simmering stew.
Etymology
The older word means berry and became associated with the laurel tree. The tree’s name then also identifies its aromatic leaves when used in cooking.
More examples
- She removed the bay before serving.
- The recipe calls for a little dried bay.
- A jar of bay stood beside the other herbs.
Forms
bay
Similar words
- bay leaf
- The explicit culinary name.