Main Entry:

base·ment

Pronunciation:

\ˈbās-mənt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

probably from ¹base

Date:

1613

1: the part of a building that is wholly or partly below ground level2: the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture3: the lowest or fundamental part of something ; specifically : the rocks underlying stratified rocks4chiefly New England : a toilet or washroom especially in a school

— base·ment·less \-ləs\ adjective