base

1 of 4

noun

ˈbās 

plural bases ˈbā-səz 

1

a

: the bottom of something considered as its support : foundation

the base of the mountain

the lamp's heavy base

b

biology : that part of a bodily organ by which it is attached to another more central structure of the organism

the base of the thumb

c architecture

(1)

: the lower part of a wall, pier, or column considered as a separate architectural feature

(2)

: the lower part of a complete architectural design (as of a monument)

d mathematics

(1)

: a side or face (see face entry 1 sense 5a(5)) of a geometrical figure from which an altitude (see altitude sense 1c(1)) can be constructed

especially : a side or face on which the figure stands

the base of a triangle

(2)

: the length of a base

determining the triangle's base

2

a

: a main ingredient

paint having a latex base

b

: a supporting or carrying ingredient (as of a medicine)

c

: a first or bottom layer of something on which other elements are added

Overnight, Utah's famous snow has freshly blanketed both runs, adding to a solid base of three feet …

—Abby Carroll

3

a

: the fundamental part of something : groundwork, basis

the book's theoretical base

her broad base of knowledge

b

: something (as a group of people) that reliably provides support (such as for a business or political candidate)

—usually singular

efforts to expand their customer base

the band's fan base

But I do believe that that's a very sore point with many Democrats and could be used to energize their base.

—John McCain

c

Marxism : the economic factors on which all legal, social, and political relations are formed

4

a

: the starting point or line for an action or undertaking

plans to make this city his base of operation

—J. A. Loftus

b

: a baseline in surveying

c

: a center or area of operations

The company has its base in London.

: such as

(1)

: a permanent military installation

a naval base

The troops were ordered back to base.

(2)

: the place from which a military force draws supplies

(3)

: a place where military operations begin

d

linguistics : root sense 6

"Leave" is the base of the verb "left."

e mathematics

(1)

: a number (such as 5 in 5^6.44 or 5⁷) that is raised to a power (see power entry 1 sense 5a)

especially : the number that when raised to a power equal to the logarithm of a number yields the number itself

The logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is 2 since 10² = 100.

(2)

: a number equal to the number of units in a given digit's place (see place entry 1 sense 8) that for a given system of writing numbers is required to give the numeral 1 in the next higher place

The decimal system uses a base of 10.

also : such a system of writing numbers using an indicated base

Convert from base 10 to base 2.

(3)

: a number that is multiplied by a rate or of which a percentage or fraction is calculated

To find the interest on $90 at 10 percent multiply the base 90 by .10.

5

a

: any one of the four stations at the corners of a baseball or softball infield

allowing the batter to reach base

b

in various games : the starting place or goal

c

: a point to be considered

His opening remarks touched every base.

6

chemistry

a

: any of various typically water-soluble and bitter tasting compounds that in solution have a pH greater than 7, are capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt, and are molecules or ions able to take up a proton from an acid or able to give up an unshared pair of electrons to an acid

b

: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil

7

finance : a price level at which a security (see security sense 3) previously declining in price resists further decline

8

heraldry : the lower part of a heraldic field (see field entry 1 sense 3c)

9

linguistics : the part of a transformational grammar that consists of rules and a lexicon and generates the deep structures of a language

10

: an electrode that modulates the current flowing through a bipolar junction transistor according to the voltage applied to the electrode

This gate, which is called a grid in a tube and a base in a transistor, enables a small "controlling" voltage to turn on and off a much larger voltage between the cathode and the anode.

—Thom Hartmann

compare gate entry 1 sense 5b

baseless

ˈbā-sləs 

adjective

Illustration of base

• 1 upper torus
• 2 scotia
• 3 lower torus
• 4 plinth
• 5 shaft
• 6 fillets

base

2 of 4

verb

based; basing

transitive verb

1

: to find a foundation or basis for : to find a base (see base entry 1 sense 3a) for

—usually used with on or upon

base an opinion on faulty information

a story based upon real-life events

2

: to make, form, or serve as a base for

… great roots based the tree columns …

—George Macdonald

the company is based in London

clients who are based out of their homes

base

3 of 4

adjective (1)

1

a

: lacking or indicating the lack of higher qualities of mind or spirit : ignoble

seemed a base betrayal of idealism

—L. M. Sears

appealing to a person's baser instincts

b

: lacking higher values : degrading

a drab base way of life

2

a

: being of comparatively low value and having relatively inferior properties (such as lack of resistance to corrosion)

a base metal such as iron

compare noble entry 1

b

: containing a larger than usual proportion of base metals

base silver denarii

3

feudalism

a

: resembling a villein : servile

a base tenant

b

: held by villenage

base tenure

4

archaic : of little height

… the cedar stoops not to the base shrub's foot …

—Shakespeare

5

archaic : baseborn

… base in kind and born to be a slave.

—William Cowper

6

obsolete : low in place or position

… fall to the base earth from the firmament!

—Shakespeare

7

obsolete : bass

basely adverb

baseness noun

base

4 of 4

adjective (2)

1

: constituting or serving as a base

This situation is frequently encountered by seaplane pilots in northern Canada who must fly over lakes and tundra to a base camp located on a river.

—Alan Lopez

2

: of the simplest or most basic design or form : having the form of something before upgrades or customization

This GTO's 350-hp, 5.7-liter V8 is the same that's used in the base Corvette, and it produces the power and throaty exhaust sound of a classic muscle car.

—Consumer Reports

Phrases

cover all the bases or less commonly cover every base or have (all) one's bases covered

: to do or include everything that needs to be done or included : to fulfill all requirements or necessities

The well rounded menu covers all the bases—pork or duck breast and always a grilled chicken with complementary sauces and relishes …

—Caroline Bates

In other words, we need to cover every base. Too often, something is remembered at the last minute and we find ourselves waiting for the stores to open on sale day so we can purchase a much-needed item.

—Sue Story

In your e-mail, let the company know that, for their convenience, you're e-mailing the resume and letter, but that the original documents will arrive by postal service. This way you've got all your bases covered.

—Peter Post

off base

1

: wrong, mistaken

Estimates were way off base.

2

: unawares

caught off base by the charges

touch all the bases or less commonly touch every base

1

: to mention every subject that needs to be considered

a speech that touches all the bases

2

: to do or include everything that needs to be done or included : to fulfill all requirements or necessities

need to touch all the bases when applying for a mortgage

The owner of the Utah Stars is in Salt Lake City, working 24 hours a day in an effort to touch every base to keep his club in Utah's capital city.

—Dan Pattison

Synonyms

Noun

• basis
• bedrock
• bottom
• cornerstone
• footing
• foundation
• ground
• groundwork
• keystone
• root
• underpinning
• warp
• warp and woof

Verb

• ground
• hang
• predicate
• rest

Adjective (1)

• contemptible
• currish
• despicable
• detestable
• dirty
• dishonorable
• execrable
• ignoble
• ignominious
• low
• low-down
• low-minded
• mean
• nasty
• paltry
• snide
• sordid
• vile
• wretched

Choose the Right Synonym for base

base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values.

base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

Examples of base in a Sentence

Noun

their base obedience to every unprincipled action ordered by their leader

the army's base of attack was kept top secret until the battle began

Verb

They are going to base their new company in Seattle.

The company has based itself in London.

Our tour group based itself in a hotel in the heart of the city.

Adjective (1)

Iron is a base metal.

a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His pay package last year included a $3 million base salary, $15.5 million in stock awards and a $12.4 million cash bonus. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

Its carbon-fiber body has been redesigned to be even more aerodynamic, which includes replacing the base model’s large rear wing with two fighter jet-style wings. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2024

At this point, the most enthusiastic base of support for Ms. Greene’s shenanigans may be the Kremlin. —Michelle Cottle, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

With the adjustable heat-control dials and removable porcelain base tray for easy clean up, this smoker is approachable even for a beginner pitmaster. —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024

Signs in support of the City University of New York public school system divesting from Israel were at the base of the flagpole. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

Given LaTurner’s relatively late announcement, the compressed primary campaign means candidates without a preexisting broad base of support will potentially struggle to build name ID and raise money. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024

About a dozen school police officers were visible at the base of the tower. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024

The key will be to start with a blurring primer to create a smooth, doll-like base. —Loren Savini, Allure, 25 Apr. 2024

Verb

Under a state law that says the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction can extend someone's sentence based on conduct while in prison, the pair could serve up to 16½ years. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 27 Apr. 2024

The report also depicted the DWP as a cliquey environment where employees received plum positions and promotions based on their relationships with top leaders, rather than their job performance. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2024

The San Diego Hunger Coalition’s latest report, released this week based on data from September 2023, found that one in four San Diegans — or 832,000 people countywide — already struggle to afford three nutritious meals a day. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024

At least 10 tornadoes hit central Iowa, National Weather Service says The National Weather Service in Des Moines posted early Saturday morning that preliminary reports indicate at least 10 tornadoes struck central Iowa in the April 26 storm front, based on initial damage information. —USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, Hinduism features nine jewels associated with celestial forces, with particular stones supposedly warding off potential trouble, based on the sky at the exact place and time of your birth. —Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2024

The story is based on Vogel’s life and complex relationships with her mother and brother. —Lexi Carson, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024

The size of the fine was based on the prominence of the victim and her willingness to testify, as well as the seriousness of the crime. —Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2024

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido assures that involuntary manslaughter is the highest charge that could be presented based on current evidence, but the ongoing investigation may yield future charges. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024

Adjective

The group's president David Ridenour has a base salary of roughly $358,000. —Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024

The issue adds to other price pressures for consumers: widespread inflation, no cuts in sight for the Fed’s base interest rate, and continued heat in the housing market. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

Games can use an additional 1.2GB of system memory on the PS5 Pro, so that’s 13.7GB overall compared to the 12.5GB allocated to games on the base PS5. —Tom Warren, The Verge, 15 Apr. 2024

DeSantis campaigned to the right of Trump, assiduously courting base conservatives. —USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Analysis by the Brennan Center this week found that 80 percent of the base text of the FISA reauthorization bill had been authored by intelligence committee members. —Dell Cameron, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024

Toyota will offer a base rear-drive base model and part- and full-time four-wheel-drive systems. —Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024

Roku's user-friendly plug-in box is on sale at Walmart for a sizable $27 off the base retail price. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024

However, none of these cards has a base rate of an uncapped 3% cash back on all purchases. —Rob Berger, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin basis, from Greek, step, base, from bainein to go — more at come

Verb

verbal derivative of base entry 1

Adjective (1)

Middle English bas, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bassus fat, short, low

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c(1)

Verb

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective (2)

1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing base

• air base
• base angle
• base exchange
• base hit
• base of operations
• base on balls
• base pair
• base path
• base pay
• base price
• base runner
• base stealer
• base unit
• cover every base
• customer base
• extra-base hit
• fan base
• first base
• get to first base
• home base
• loosely base on
• off base
• on base
• on-base percentage
• power base
• prisoner's base
• second base
• tax base
• third base
• touch base
• touch every base
• zero-base

Kids Definition

base

1 of 3 noun

ˈbās 

plural bases ˈbā-səz 

1

a

: a thing or part on which something rests : bottom, foundation

the base of a lamp

b

: the part of a plant or animal structure by which it is attached to another more central structure

the base of the thumb

c

: one of the lines or flat surfaces of a geometric figure from which an altitude is or can be constructed

bases of a trapezoid

especially : one on which the figure stands

base of a triangle

2

: a main ingredient

paint having a water base

3

: a fundamental part : basis

4

a

: the place from which a start is made

b

: a line in a survey that is used to calculate distances or positions

c

: a place where a military force keeps its supplies or from which it starts its operations

naval base

air base

d

: a number equal to the number of units that would be equivalent to one in the next higher place in a given number system

in base 10 it takes 10 ones in the units place to equal a one in the tens place

also : a system of writing numbers using a given base

convert base 10 to base 2

e

: root entry 1 sense 5

5

a

: the starting place or goal in various games

b

: any of the four stations a runner in baseball must touch in order to score

6

: any of various compounds that react with an acid to form a salt, have a bitter taste, and turn red litmus paper blue

7

: a number that is multiplied by a rate or of which a percentage or fraction is calculated

to find the interest on $90 at 10% multiply the base 90 by .10

based adjective

baseless

ˈbās-ləs 

adjective

base

2 of 3 verb

based; basing

1

: to make, form, or serve as a base for

2

: to use as a base or basis for : establish

base

3 of 3 adjective

1

a

: being of low value and having less desirable properties when compared with something else

a base metal such as iron

b

: containing more than the usual amount of base metals

2

: not honorable or moral : mean

base conduct

basely adverb

baseness noun

Medical Definition

base

noun

ˈbās 

plural bases ˈbā-səz 

1

: that portion of a bodily organ or part by which it is attached to another more central structure of the organism

the base of the thumb

2

a

: the usually inactive ingredient of a preparation serving as the vehicle for the active medicinal preparation

the fatty base of an ointment

b

: the chief active ingredient of a preparation

called also basis

3

a

: any of various typically water-soluble and bitter tasting compounds that in solution have a pH greater than 7, are capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt, and are molecules or ions able to take up a proton from an acid or able to give up an unshared pair of electrons to an acid compare alkali

b

: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil

4

: freebase

based

ˈbāst 

adjective