baseline

noun

base·​line ˈbās-ˌlīn How to pronounce baseline (audio)
often attributive
1
: a line serving as a basis
especially : one of known measure or position used (as in surveying or navigation) to calculate or locate something
2
a
: either of the lines on a baseball field that lead from home plate to first base and third base and are extended into the outfield as foul lines
b
3
: a boundary line at either end of a court (as in tennis or basketball)
4
: a usually initial set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control
5
: a starting point
the baseline of this discussion

Examples of baseline in a Sentence

The experiment is meant only to provide a baseline for other studies. any year or event we use as the baseline for the Renaissance is going to be at least somewhat arbitrary
Recent Examples on the Web Hohn sank a high-arcing jumper from the baseline in the middle of a 6-0 run to extend the lead to double digits for the first time at 29-18 with 6:46 left in the half. Dan Arritt, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2024 In the next game, Perez ripped a winner from the center of the baseline on another deciding point to help hold serve and the pair cruised to victory from there. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024 For the following years, the city offered worst-case, baseline and optimistic projections. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 While the rise in appraisal values is not nearly as big as last year’s, everyone should expect to see a higher level for the baseline on which property tax bills will be calculated, said County Appraiser Matt Willard. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024 With a baseline of 63 crisis calls in March 2023, that number spiked to 448 after the passage of the health care ban SB 613 in May. Danielle Marie Holland, Parents, 28 Feb. 2024 But clean energy subsidies or support for farmers moving toward sustainable agriculture would be given the green light so long as these programs meet certain baseline requirements designed to minimize the impact on trade. Dan Esty, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024 The baseline version of the C929 will seat up to 280 passengers and offer airlines a range of 12,000 kilometers suitable for international routes and high-capacity demand regional flights. Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Of these cases, about two-thirds say their pain persists a year later (from the 2019 baseline), with 190 cases per 1,000 people developing into high-impact chronic pain. Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baseline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of baseline was circa 1556

Dictionary Entries Near baseline

Cite this Entry

“Baseline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baseline. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

baseline

noun
base·​line ˈbās-ˌlīn How to pronounce baseline (audio)
1
: a line used as a base
2
a
: either of two straight lines on a baseball field leading from home plate to first base and third base and extending into the outfield
b

Medical Definition

baseline

noun
base·​line ˈbā-ˌslīn How to pronounce baseline (audio)
: a set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control

More from Merriam-Webster on baseline

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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