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 level
2 : the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture
3 : the lowest or fundamental part of something; specifically : the rocks underlying stratified rocks
4 chiefly New England : a toilet or washroom especially in a school

— base·ment·less \-ləs\ adjective