base unit

noun

plural base units
: one of a set of fundamental units in a system of measurement that is based on a natural phenomenon or established standard and from which other units may be derived
The base units of the International System of Units are the meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, and candela.
compare absolute unit

Examples of base unit in a Sentence

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.
Frogposting, then, pits the intractably byzantine, soulless and cutthroat nature of the contemporary economy in a simple binary against what the posters envision as the green, healthy, naturalness of the Earth—framed as a joke, the base unit of online commentary. Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025 The computing system includes an Intel N97 base unit and an NVIDIA AGX Orin module, delivering 275 TOPS of AI processing. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 3 Dec. 2025 The horizontal base unit has five slots that can fit magnetically attachable modules. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025 This allows different family members to each have their own tip to use with the same base unit. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 Sep. 2025 The $349 Security Starter system comes with a base unit (ADT's equivalent of a hub), three door/window sensors, a motion sensor, and assorted yard signs and stickers. John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025 The device has a 150W recharging speed using the optional charging base unit. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025 This base unit can be mounted on a truck or trailer, and utilizes various modules to perform a variety of road maintenance tasks. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Nov. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of base unit was in 1867

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Cite this Entry

“Base unit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/base%20unit. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

base unit

noun
: one of a set of simple units in a system of measurement that is based on a natural phenomenon or established standard and from which other units may be derived see international system of units
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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