-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny kakistocracy
- ALL
Definition of base
bases
play \ˈbā-səz\1a 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 basec mathematics (1) : a side or face (see 1face 5a(5)) of a geometrical figure from which an altitude (see altitude 1c(1)) can be constructed; especially : a side or face on which the figure stands the base of a triangle (2) : the length of a base determining the triangle's based 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
2a : a main ingredient paint having a latex baseb : a supporting or carrying ingredient (as of a medicine)
3a : the fundamental part of something : groundwork, basis the book's theoretical base her broad base of knowledgeb : 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 McCainc Marxism : the economic factors on which all legal, social, and political relations are formed
4 heraldry : the lower part of a heraldic field (see 1field 3c)
5a : the starting point or line for an action or undertaking plans to make this city his base of operation — J. A. Loftusb : a baseline in surveyingc : a center or area of operations The company has its base in London.: such as (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.; also : such a system of writing numbers using an indicated base 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.e linguistics : root 6 “Leave” is the base of the verb “left.”
6a in various games : the starting place or goalb : any one of the four stations at the corners of a baseball or softball infield allowing the batter to reach basec : 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 acidb : 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
cover all the bases
or less commonlycover every base
orhave (all) one's bases covered
off base
touch all the bases
or less commonlytouch every base
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of base in a Sentence
the firm belief that complete trust between husband and wife is the base of any successful marriage
the army's base of attack was kept top secret until the battle began
Recent Examples of base from the Web
-
Alabama is home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, a key education center in the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and a supplier base NASA wants to expand to all of the state's 67 counties.
-
After wedding in a custom Giles Deacon gown in May and jetting off on a stylish honeymoon, Pippa Middleton has returned to her home base in England, but her wardrobe hasn't skipped a beat.
-
None of them went for extra bases, although Reds outfielders had to explore the warning track a few times to corral some fly balls.
-
The base of the Huey Tzompantli has yet to be uncovered, and archaeologists expect to find many more skulls.
-
When Jose Reyes singled to left field, Glenn Sherlock, the Mets’ third base coach, waved Nimmo home.
-
The Padres’ Wil Myers is the most popular person at Petco Park when the top of an inning ends with a putout at first base.
-
Behind him was a blinking router balanced on the base of a cross with a tiny crucified Jesus and a golden statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
-
Qatar hosts the regional headquarters for the U.S. Central Command, which includes a state-of-the-art air base the Pentagon depends on to target Islamic State.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'base'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of base
Origin and Etymology of base
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin basis, from Greek, step, base, from bainein to go — more at come
base
Definition of base
based
;basing
transitive verb
1 : to make, form, or serve as a base for … great roots based the tree columns … — George Macdonald the company is based in London clients who are based out of their homes
2 : to find a foundation or basis for : to find a base (see 1base 3a) for —usually used with on or upon base an opinion on faulty information a story based upon real-life events
Examples of base in a Sentence
They are going to base their new company in Seattle.
The company has based itself in London.
Our tour group based itself in a hotel in the heart of the city.
Recent Examples of base from the Web
-
The GOP plans would eliminate a tax set on all insurers based on their market share.
-
Projects are based on the brick selections found in some of Lego Classic series.
-
Go Logic, a design and architecture firm based in Maine, can construct the homes on your property in less than two weeks, almost anywhere in the country.
-
JUDGING: All entries will be judged by the EW staff, based on the following criteria: 100% score on trivia questions.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'base'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of base
verbal derivative of 1base
base
Definition of base
1 archaic : of little height … the cedar stoops not to the base shrub's foot … — Shakespeare
2 obsolete : low in place or position … fall to the base earth from the firmament! — Shakespeare
3 obsolete : bass
4 archaic : baseborn … base in kind and born to be a slave. — William Cowper
5 feudalism a : resembling a villein : servile a base tenantb : held by villenage base tenure
6a : being of comparatively low value and having relatively inferior properties (such as lack of resistance to corrosion) a base metal such as iron — compare nobleb : containing a larger than usual proportion of base metals base silver denarii
7a : lacking or indicating the lack of higher qualities of mind or spirit : ignoble seemed a base betrayal of idealism — L. M. Sears appealing to a person's baser instinctsb : lacking higher values : degrading a drab base way of life
basely
adverbbaseness
nounExamples of base in a Sentence
Iron is a base metal.
a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law
Recent Examples of base from the Web
-
Li said the men had documented excessive overtime, with working days sometimes stretching longer than 18 hours, and a base salary below minimum wage.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'base'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of base
Middle English bas, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bassus fat, short, low
Synonym Discussion of base
BASE Defined for English Language Learners
base
playDefinition of base for English Language Learners
-
: the bottom or lowest part of something : the part on which something rests or is supported
-
: something (such as a group of people or things) that provides support for a place, business, etc.
-
: a main ingredient to which other things are added to make something
base
Definition of base for English Language Learners
-
: to have a particular place as the main place where a person works or lives or where a business operates
base
Definition of base for English Language Learners
-
: not honest or good
-
of a metal : having low quality and value
BASE Defined for Kids
Definition of base for Students
1 : a thing or a part on which something rests : bottom, foundation the base of a statue the base of the mountain
2 : a starting place or goal in various games
3 : any of the four stations a runner in baseball must touch in order to score
4 : the main place or starting place of an action or operation The company's base is in New York.
5 : a place where a military force keeps its supplies or from which it starts its operations an air force base
6 : a line or surface of a geometric figure upon which an altitude is or is thought to be constructed base of a triangle
7 : the main substance in a mixture
8 : a number with reference to which a system of numbers is constructed
Definition of base for Students
based
;basing
: to use as a main place of operation or action The company is based in Ohio.
base on
orbase upon
: to make or form from a starting point It's based on a true story.
Definition of base for Students
baser
;basest
1 : of low value and not very good in some ways base metals
2 : not honorable “I'll appeal to his baser instincts, of which he has plenty.” — E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
Medical Dictionary
base
playMedical Definition of base
bases
\ˈbā-səz\play1: that portion of a bodily organ or part by which it is attached to another more central structure of the organism the base of the thumb
2a: the usually inactive ingredient of a preparation serving as the vehicle for the active medicinal preparation the fatty base of an ointmentb: the chief active ingredient of a preparation—called also basis
3a: 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 are substances able to give up an unshared pair of electrons to an acid—compare alkalib: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil
4: freebase
Learn More about base
-
See words that rhyme with base Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for base Spanish Central: Translation of base Nglish: Translation of base for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of base for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about base
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up base? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!