A Basting Stitch is a stitch, which briefly holds fabric in place till permanent stitching is put in place.

EXAMPLE: Using a Basting stitch to place where a zipper will be installed. For a dress with a center back, the back of the dress is composed of two halves. A central seam is stitched from the bottom of the dress up to where the zipper will be placed. From that point up to the top, the seam is basted. This holds the seam edges in the proper position before the zipper is placed; when the permanent stitching is complete the basting stitches are removed.