Definition of base
plural bases
play
\ˈbā-səz\
1 a
architecture
(1)
: the lower part of a wall, pier, or column considered as a separate architectural feature
(2)
: the lower part of a complete architectural design (as of a monument)
b
: the bottom of something considered as its support : foundation
- the base of the mountain
- the lamp's heavy base
c
mathematics
d
biology
: that part of a bodily organ by which it is attached to another more central structure of the organism
- the base of the thumb
2 a
: a main ingredient
- paint having a latex base
b
: a supporting or carrying ingredient (as of a medicine)
c
: a first or bottom layer of something on which other elements are added
- Overnight, Utah's famous snow has freshly blanketed both runs, adding to a solid base of three feet …
- —Abby Carroll
3 a
: the fundamental part of something : groundwork, basis
- the book's theoretical base
- her broad base of knowledge
b
: something (as a group of people) that reliably provides support (such as for a business or political candidate)
—usually singular
- efforts to expand their customer base
- the band's fan base
- But I do believe that that's a very sore point with many Democrats and could be used to energize their base.
- —John McCain
c
Marxism
: the economic factors on which all legal, social, and political relations are formed
5 a
: the starting point or line for an action or undertaking
- plans to make this city his base of operation
- —J. A. Loftus
c
: a center or area of operations
- The company has its base in London.
(1)
: the place from which a military force draws supplies
(2)
: a place where military operations begin
(3)
: a permanent military installation
- a naval base
- The troops were ordered back to base.
d
mathematics
(1)
: a number (such as 5 in 56.44 or 57) that is raised to a power (see 1power 5a);
especially
: the number that when raised to a power equal to the logarithm of a number yields the number itself
- The logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is 2 since 102 = 100.
(2)
: a number equal to the number of units in a given digit's place (see 1place 8) that for a given system of writing numbers is required to give the numeral 1 in the next higher place
- The decimal system uses a base of 10.
- Convert from base 10 to base 2.
(3)
: a number that is multiplied by a rate or of which a percentage or fraction is calculated
- To find the interest on $90 at 10 percent multiply the base 90 by .10.
6 a
in various games
: the starting place or goal
b
: any one of the four stations at the corners of a baseball or softball infield
- allowing the batter to reach base
c
: a point to be considered
- His opening remarks touched every base.
7
chemistry
a
: any of various typically water-soluble and bitter tasting compounds that in solution have a pH greater than 7, are capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt, and are molecules or ions able to take up a proton from an acid or able to give up an unshared pair of electrons to an acid
b
: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil
8
finance
: a price level at which a security (see security 3) previously declining in price resists further decline
9
linguistics
: the part of a transformational grammar that consists of rules and a lexicon and generates the deep structures of a language
10
: an electrode that modulates the current flowing through a bipolar junction transistor according to the voltage applied to the electrode
- This gate, which is called a grid in a tube and a base in a transistor, enables a small "controlling" voltage to turn on and off a much larger voltage between the cathode and the anode.
- —Thom Hartmann
—
cover all the bases
or less commonly
cover every base
or
have (all) one's bases covered
: to do or include everything that needs to be done or included : to fulfill all requirements or necessities
- The well rounded menu covers all the bases—pork or duck breast and always a grilled chicken with complementary sauces and relishes …
- —Caroline Bates
- In other words, we need to cover every base. Too often, something is remembered at the last minute and we find ourselves waiting for the stores to open on sale day so we can purchase a much-needed item.
- —Sue Story
- In your e-mail, let the company know that, for their convenience, you're e-mailing the resume and letter, but that the original documents will arrive by postal service. This way you've got all your bases covered.
- —Peter Post
—
off base
—
touch all the bases
or less commonly
touch every base
1
: to mention every subject that needs to be considered
- a speech that touches all the bases
2
: to do or include everything that needs to be done or included : to fulfill all requirements or necessities
- need to touch all the bases when applying for a mortgage
- The owner of the Utah Stars is in Salt Lake City, working 24 hours a day in an effort to touch every base to keep his club in Utah's capital city.
- —Dan Pattison
