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cesta

SESS-tah/ˈθesta/

“cesta” means “basket” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

basket

Also: hamper, shopping basket
NounfA1
Latin America
A woven wicker basket with a handle sitting on a wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Puse las manzanas en la cesta.

A1

I put the apples in the basket.

Llevamos una cesta de mimbre para el picnic.

A2

We took a wicker basket for the picnic.

La cesta de la ropa sucia está en el baño.

B1

The laundry hamper is in the bathroom.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • canasta (basket (usually larger))
  • canastilla (small basket)

Common Collocations

  • cesta de mimbre – wicker basket
  • cesta de la compra – shopping basket (or consumer price index)
  • cesta de Navidad – Christmas gift basket

Idioms & Expressions

  • poner todos los huevos en la misma cesta – to risk everything on a single plan

basket

Also: hoop
NounfA2
Spain
An orange basketball falling through a orange rim and white net.

📝 In Action

¡Qué buena cesta!

A2

What a great basket!

El balón no entró en la cesta.

B1

The ball didn't go into the basket.

Necesitamos una cesta más para ganar el partido.

B1

We need one more basket to win the game.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • tiro a cesta – shot at the basket
  • hacer una cesta – to score a basket

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cesta" in Spanish:

basket→hamper→hoop→shopping basket→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cesta

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'The basket is full' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cesto(large basket) — Noun
encestar(to score a basket) — Verb
cestería(basket weaving) — Noun
cestero(basket maker) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word 'cista,' which referred to a wooden box or chest. Over time, the meaning shifted in Spanish to describe woven containers specifically.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: chestEnglish: cistern

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'cesta' and 'canasta'?

'Cesta' is usually smaller or specifically woven. 'Canasta' is often used for larger baskets or specifically for basketball in Latin America.

Is 'cesta' used for a laundry basket?

Yes, you can say 'cesta de la ropa' or 'cesto de la ropa' (using the masculine version usually implies it is bigger).

Does 'cesta' only refer to wicker containers?

Traditionally yes, but today it is also used for plastic shopping baskets at the supermarket.