basin

noun

ba·​sin ˈbā-sᵊn How to pronounce basin (audio)
1
a
: an open usually circular vessel with sloping or curving sides used typically for holding water for washing
a new washstand and basin
b
chiefly British : a bowl used especially in cooking
c
: the quantity contained in a basin
spilled a basin of water on the floor
2
a
: a dock built in a harbor or a river that is noticeably affected by the tide
b
: an enclosed or partly enclosed water area
3
geography
a
: a large or small depression in the surface of the land or in the ocean floor
the relatively shallow basin of the Baltic Sea
b
: the entire tract of country drained by a river and its tributaries
flooding in the Amazon river basin
c
: a great depression in the surface of the lithosphere occupied by an ocean
4
geology : a broad area of the earth beneath which the strata (see stratum sense 2a) dip usually from the sides toward the center
basinal adjective
basined adjective
basinful noun

Examples of basin in a Sentence

a basin of cold water the drainage basin of a river the Great Basin of the western U.S.
Recent Examples on the Web Putting the entire burden of climate change on one basin or another will result in conflict. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The basin runs along part of central California’s border with Nevada, USA TODAY reported. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Other mountain roads were closed to all but local traffic and Caltrans worked through the day feverishly to keep Highway 50, the last remaining portal to the Tahoe basin, open albeit with chain controls. Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 Jaguars’ range extends from northern Argentina to the southwestern U.S., with most cats living in the Amazon basin. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 Extreme rainfall and historic floods are transforming life in the vast Mississippi River basin. Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 And last March, the state determined that officials in six groundwater basins had failed to develop adequate plans. Christopher Flavelle, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Disassembly was confusing because there were many parts, including a top cover, water basin, a tall tube, and a drawer for the aromatherapy pads. Rachel Ahrnsen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2024 The 27-year-old from Washington was skiing a ridgeline off Mary’s Nipple from Grand Targhee Ski Resort when the cornice broke under him and sent him plummeting 100 feet into the basin below, Teton County Search and Rescue said in a Wednesday, Feb. 21 post on Facebook. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 22 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French bacin, going back to Vulgar Latin *baccīnum (whence Hellenized Late Latin bacchinon "disk with two wooden dishes"), derivative from a base *bak- or *bakk- (whence Latin bacar, bacriō "kind of vessel," early Medieval Latin bacarium, baccarium, becario "pitcher, vessel"), of obscure origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of basin was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near basin

Cite this Entry

“Basin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basin. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

basin

noun
ba·​sin ˈbās-ᵊn How to pronounce basin (audio)
1
a
: a wide usually round container with sloping or curving sides for holding liquids
b
: the amount that a basin holds
2
: a hollow area or enclosure containing water
especially : a partly enclosed water area for anchoring ships
3
a
: the land drained by a river and its branches
b
: a large or small hollow area in the surface of the land or in the ocean floor
c
: a great hollow area in the surface of the lithosphere filled by an ocean
4
: a broad area of the earth beneath which layers of sedimentary rock dip usually from the sides toward the center

Medical Definition

basin

noun
ba·​sin ˈbās-ᵊn How to pronounce basin (audio)
1
: an open usually circular vessel with sloping or curving sides used typically for holding water for washing
2
: the quantity contained in a basin

More from Merriam-Webster on basin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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