basal

adjective

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bas·al | \ ˈbā-səl

, -zəl

Definition of basal

1a : relating to, situated at, or forming the base

b : arising from the base of a stem basal leaves

2a : 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

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Examples of basal in a Sentence

she clearly lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic

Recent Examples on the Web Even basal pollution levels may impact cognitive function. — Adam Lashinsky, Fortune, "Waymo Is Still an Expensive Science Project in Search of a Business," 7 Jan. 2020 Physicians identified the cause of Abienwi’s death as brain death secondary to basal ganglia hemorrhage, ICE said. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Man dies in ICE custody in San Diego," 2 Oct. 2019 Novo generates roughly half of its revenues, and a sizable part of its profit, in the U.S. There, net prices have fallen, by roughly 21% for basal insulin in 2018, one of the company’s core products, according to Mr. Kapadia. — Nina Trentmann, WSJ, "Danish Drugmaker Expects Higher Working Capital Needs Ahead of Brexit," 1 Feb. 2019 Prices for basal insulin are down 15% to 20% year over year, Mr. Verdult said, while prices for Victoza, a glucagon-like peptid 1 product used to treat diabetes, have been flat. — Nina Trentmann, WSJ, "Danish Insulin Maker Novo Nordisk Cuts Jobs, Shifts R&D Spending," 1 Nov. 2018 The radar cross section has been tilted 90°. The leftmost white line is the surface radar echo, while the light bluespots along the basal radar echo highlight areas of very high reflectivity, interpreted as being caused by the presence of water. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Underground Lake of Liquid Water Detected on Mars," 25 July 2018 The plants grow in tight, multi-stemmed clumps with mostly basal leaves. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 The plants grow in tight, multistemmed clumps with mostly basal leaves. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Gorgeous Medicinal Echinacea In Your Garden," 17 July 2017 Those canes that are fruitful will produce fruiting shoots at their basal half-dozen or so buds; the buds further out are capable of producing shoots that will fruit the next year. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Kiwis In Your Backyard," 6 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'basal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basal. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for basal

basal

adjective

ba·sal | \ ˈbā-səl

, -zəl

Medical Definition of basal

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