1 [mass noun] food placed on a hook or in a net, trap, or fishing area to entice fish or other animals as prey:herrings make excellent bait for pike [count noun]:fishing with live baits
something intended to entice someone to do something:many potential buyers are reluctant to take the bait
1deliberately annoy or taunt (someone):the other boys revelled in baiting him about his love of literature
cause dogs to attack (a trapped or restrained animal):people who bait badgers
2put bait on (a hook) or in (a trap, net, or fishing area) to entice fish or animals:I used a hook baited with fat
fish or cut bait
North American informal stop vacillating and decide to act on or disengage from something:when it comes to flagging brands, companies are being forced to fish or cut bait
rise to the bait
react to a provocation or temptation exactly as intended:Jenny was being provocatively rude, but he never rose to the bait
