basal

adjective

bas·​al ˈbā-səl  -zəl 

1

a

: relating to, situated at, or forming the base

b

: arising from the base of a stem

basal leaves

2

a

: of or relating to the foundation, base, or essence : fundamental

b

: of, relating to, or being essential for maintaining the fundamental vital activities of an organism : minimal

a basal diet

c

: used for teaching beginners

basal readers

basally adverb

Synonyms

• abecedarian
• basic
• beginning
• elemental
• elementary
• essential
• fundamental
• introductory
• meat-and-potatoes
• rudimental
• rudimentary
• underlying

Examples of basal in a Sentence

many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic

Recent Examples on the Web

Avoid disturbing the basal leaves by cutting stems 2 to 3 inches above the soil line. 07 of 10 Peony Botanical Name: Paeonia spp. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024

Findings such as these suggest that in people with RBD, movement is generated through a motor circuit that bypasses the basal ganglia. —Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2023

The tool tracks heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, stress levels, basal temperature, and more. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024

These revelations have put the biologist at the vanguard of a new field called basal cognition. —Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

base entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing basal

• basal body
• basal cell
• basal ganglion
• basal metabolic rate
• basal metabolism

Kids Definition

basal

adjective

bas·​al ˈbā-səl  -zəl 

: relating to, located at, or forming a base

basally

-sə-lē

-zə-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

basal

adjective

ba·​sal ˈbā-səl  -zəl 

1

: relating to, situated at, or forming the base

2

: of, relating to, or essential for maintaining the fundamental vital activities of an organism (as respiration, heartbeat, or excretion)

a basal diet

see basal metabolism

3

: serving as or serving to induce an initial comatose or unconscious state that forms a basis for further anesthetization

basal narcosis

a basal anesthetic

basally

-ē 

adverb