Bast is a noun with a few very different meanings. In botanythe scientific study of plants, it can refer to the plant tissuea group of similar cells working together in an organism that carries food through a plant. It can also mean the strong fibers taken from certain plants. In Egyptian mythologytraditional stories about gods, goddesses, and heroes, Bast is a cat-headed goddess.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /bæst/
Easy pronunciation: BAST (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, stressed on the whole word.
Botany: the plant tissue that carries food from the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Bast Meaning
the part of a plant that transports food around the plant
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Plant tissue that carries food made in the leaves to other parts of the plant.
Example: The phloem, or bast, moves sugars from the leaves to the roots.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- phloem — Direct botanical synonym for this sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Bast
Meaning 2
strong plant fibers used for making rope, fabric, and similar materials
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Strong woody fibers obtained especially from the phloem of various plants.
Example: Jute is a common source of bast fiber.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- bast fiber — Direct term for this material.
Meaning 3
an Egyptian goddess with a cat head
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A cat- or lion-headed Egyptian goddess associated with the life-giving power of the sun.
Example: Bast was an important goddess in ancient Egyptian religion.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Bast Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- phloem
strong plant fibers obtained from the phloem of certain plants
- bast fiber
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse bast the plant tissue with bast the plant fiber; they are related but not the same sense.
- Do not confuse Bast, the Egyptian goddess, with the botanical noun bast.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does bast mean in botany?
In botany, bast is the tissue that carries food made in the leaves to other parts of a plant. It is essentially phloem.
What are bast fibers?
Bast fibers are strong plant fibers taken especially from the phloem of plants such as flax, jute, and hemp.
Is Bast the same as phloem?
Yes, in the botanical sense, bast is another term for phloem.
Who is Bast in Egyptian mythology?
Bast is an Egyptian goddess often shown with a cat head and linked with protection and the sun.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-04. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
