basal

adjective

bas·​al ˈbā-səl How to pronounce basal (audio) -zəl How to pronounce basal (audio)
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

Examples of basal in a Sentence

many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The problem with that habit memory, or that basal ganglia, is that when there's a change in that normal routine … your basal ganglia can't account for that. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025 Regular repetition starts to shift the pattern from your prefrontal cortex — the region of your brain responsible for willpower, complex decision-making and emotional regulation — to a different area of the brain called the basal ganglia. Dr. Faye Begeti, CNBC, 23 June 2025 The first relates to the minute amount of glucose found in basal tears: Typical tear glucose levels are on the order of 0.1 to 0.6 millimole, while glucose levels in the blood range from about 4 to 6 mmol. IEEE Spectrum, 25 July 2017 Prune these back almost to the ground as basal growth appears. Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for basal

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of basal was circa 1645

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basal. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

basal

adjective
bas·​al ˈbā-səl How to pronounce basal (audio) -zəl How to pronounce basal (audio)
: relating to, located at, or forming a base
basally
-sə-lē
-zə-lē
adverb

Medical Definition

basal

adjective
ba·​sal ˈbā-səl How to pronounce basal (audio) -zəl How to pronounce basal (audio)
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 adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!