Definition of bait (Cambridge Dictionary)

Bait noun

uk ​ /beɪt/ us ​ /beɪt/

bait noun (FISH/ANIMAL)

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[ U ] a small amount of food on a hook (= curved piece of wire) or in a special device used to attract and catch a fish or animal:

They were digging up worms to use for bait.

We put down some poisoned bait to kill the rats.

bait noun (OFFER)

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[ C or U ] something that is said or offered to people in order to make them react in a particular way:

Free holidays were offered as (a) bait to customers.

I told my sister I'd lend her my new shirt if she let me borrow her jacket, but she didn't take the bait.

Definition given by Cambridge Dictionary

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/bait