basal

adjective

bas·​al ˈbā-səl  -zəl 

1

a

: relating to, situated at, or forming the base

b

: arising from the base of a stem

basal leaves

2

a

: 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

basally adverb

Synonyms of basal

• basic
• elementary
• rudimentary
• introductory
• underlying
• fundamental

Examples of basal in a Sentence

many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic

Recent Examples on the Web

SANParks identifies basal rock formations beneath the mountain that are approximately 560 million to 540 million years old, while the Table Mountain Group sandstone was deposited roughly 500 million to 440 million years ago. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Propagate bee balm in spring when the basal shoots are 4 to 6 inches tall, and the plant hasn’t started to bloom. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 July 2026

If dopamine neurons in the basal ganglia degenerate as happens in Parkinson’s disease, movements become harder to initiate and slower once they are commenced. — Literary Hub, 13 May 2026

Plants produce a basal rosette of downy foliage in their first year and flower in the second season, after which the plants typically die out. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

base entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing basal

• basal body
• basal cell
• basal ganglion
• basal metabolic rate
• basal metabolism

Rhymes for basal

• mesal
• tahsil
• subbasal

Kids Definition

basal

adjective

bas·​al ˈbā-səl  -zəl 

: relating to, located at, or forming a base

basally

-sə-lē, 

-zə-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

basal

adjective

ba·​sal ˈbā-səl  -zəl 

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

basally

-ē 

adverb