base

1 of 4

noun

ˈbās

plural bases ˈbā-səz

Synonyms of base next

: the bottom of something considered as its support : foundation

the base of the mountain

the lamp's heavy base

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

c 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)

d mathematics

(1)

: a side or face (see face entry 1 sense 5a(5)) of a geometrical figure from which an altitude (see altitude sense 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 base

: a main ingredient

paint having a latex base

: a supporting or carrying ingredient (as of a medicine)

: 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

: the fundamental part of something : groundwork, basis

the book's theoretical base

her broad base of knowledge

: 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 basethe band's fan baseBut I do believe that that's a very sore point with many Democrats and could be used to energize their base.—

John McCain

Marxism : the economic factors on which all legal, social, and political relations are formed

: the starting point or line for an action or undertaking

plans to make this city his base of operation—

J. A. Loftus

: a baseline in surveying

: a center or area of operations

The company has its base in London.

: such as

(1)

: a permanent military installation

a naval base

The troops were ordered back to base.

(2)

: the place from which a military force draws supplies

(3)

: a place where military operations begin

linguistics : root sense 6

"Leave" is the base of the verb "left."

e mathematics

(1)

: a number (such as 5 in 5^6.44 or 5⁷) that is raised to a power (see power entry 1 sense 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 place entry 1 sense 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.

: any one of the four stations at the corners of a baseball or softball infield

allowing the batter to reach base

in various games : the starting place or goal

: a point to be considered

His opening remarks touched every base.

chemistry

: 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

: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil

finance : a price level at which a security (see security sense 3) previously declining in price resists further decline

heraldry : the lower part of a heraldic field (see field entry 1 sense 3c)

linguistics : the part of a transformational grammar that consists of rules and a lexicon and generates the deep structures of a language

: 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

compare gate entry 1 sense 5b

baseless

ˈbā-sləs

adjective

base

2 of 4

verb

based; basing

transitive verb

: to find a foundation or basis for : to find a base (see base entry 1 sense 3a) for

—usually used with on or upon

base an opinion on faulty informationa story based upon real-life events

: 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

base

3 of 4

adjective (1)

: 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 instincts

: lacking higher values : degrading

a drab base way of life

: being of comparatively low value and having relatively inferior properties (such as lack of resistance to corrosion)

a base metal such as iron

compare noble entry 1

: containing a larger than usual proportion of base metals

base silver denarii

feudalism

: resembling a villein : servile

a base tenant

: held by villenage

base tenure

archaic : of little height

… the cedar stoops not to the base shrub's foot …—

Shakespeare

archaic : baseborn

… base in kind and born to be a slave.—

William Cowper

obsolete : low in place or position

… fall to the base earth from the firmament!—

Shakespeare

obsolete : bass

basely adverb

baseness noun

base

4 of 4

adjective (2)

: constituting or serving as a base

This situation is frequently encountered by seaplane pilots in northern Canada who must fly over lakes and tundra to a base camp located on a river.—

Alan Lopez

: of the simplest or most basic design or form : having the form of something before upgrades or customization

This GTO's 350-hp, 5.7-liter V8 is the same that's used in the base Corvette, and it produces the power and throaty exhaust sound of a classic muscle car.—

Consumer Reports

Phrases

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

: wrong, mistaken

Estimates were way off base.

: unawares

caught off base by the charges

touch all the bases or less commonly touch every base

: to mention every subject that needs to be considered

a speech that touches all the bases

: 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

Choose the Right Synonym for base

base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values.

base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

Example Sentences

Noun their base obedience to every unprincipled action ordered by their leader the army's base of attack was kept top secret until the battle began Verb 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. Adjective (1) Iron is a base metal. a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The P550e appears to be exclusive to the Autobiography trim, with the base SE model no longer offering the P440e powertrain in the United States. —

Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 18 May 2023 Supplements can send your bill skyward, but even the base dinner here is as much a master class in Peruvian history and geography as celebration of one of the world’s finest pantries. —

Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 The base options could change over time, a relief for those already worried about the lack of mayo. —

Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 17 May 2023 Crimson Brunette View full post on Instagram Create new depth for brown hair by adding a tinge of red to your base color, as seen on Little Mermaid star, Halle Bailey. —

harpersbazaar.com, 17 May 2023 With top notes of citrus and bergamot blended with base notes like amber, vanilla, and tonka bean, this candle is the perfect companion to fall. —

Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023 Badger Baby’s organic sunflower oil base is pediatrician-tested and easy to apply. —

Lorraine Wilde, Treehugger, 16 May 2023 Veteran defender Dario Zuparic had the biggest pay bump on the Timbers, going from $375,000 base salary in 2022 to $735,000 in 2023. —

oregonlive, 16 May 2023 Removal: Pull by hand, and snip vines at base of trees; dispose of the vine in your trash, not in compost. —

Arricca Elin Sansone, House Beautiful, 16 May 2023

Verb

Read on to get house exterior paint cost estimates based on size, condition, location, and more. —

Kate Mcgregor, House Beautiful, 18 May 2023 The car was already equipped with Porsche's native charging planner, which can suggest stops based on information like the vehicle's state of charge (SOC), expected traffic conditions, and average speed. —

Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 18 May 2023 This technique is based on a simple idea: over evolutionary time, the order of genes on a chromosome gets shuffled via mutations—for instance, via inversions that flip the order of genes within a chromosome. —

Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 17 May 2023 The series, which stars Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson, is based on the novels by Robyn Carr, and has been a huge success, following the many twists and turns of an idyllic small town. —

Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 17 May 2023 The Spurs won the No. 1 pick and based on the odds, the Rockets and Pistons should have received a higher pick than the Blazers. —

oregonlive, 17 May 2023 Amelia Arvesen freelance journalist Amelia Arvesen is an outdoor recreation journalist based in Portland, Oregon. —

Amelia Arvesen, Women's Health, 17 May 2023 Ultimately, many hyphenates are making individual choices based on a complex calculus of what their own consciences are telling them, their loyalty to the labor movement, their leverage with employers, the state of their careers and the circumstances of their current project. —

Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2023 Sophi Miyoko Gullbrants is a Japanese American artist based in Brooklyn. —

Maggie Jones, New York Times, 17 May 2023

Adjective

Five of the Padres’ staring position players yesterday have a base salary of at least $7 million in 2023. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2023 Ronald Jones inked a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.08 million with $150,000 guaranteed. —

Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, 7 May 2023 Giannis Antetokounmpo Antetokounmpo is under contract for a base salary of $45.6 million. —

Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 5 May 2023 Lavin will receive a base salary of $325,000 a year, according to Healey’s office. —

Taylor Dolven, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Apr. 2023 The company paid Owen a base salary of $1.1 million in 2022, but incentives increased her salary to nearly $5 million, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. —

Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2023 The two Lake Forest school boards have approved a new five-year contract for Superintendent Matthew Montgomery that includes more than a 20% raise in base salary. —

Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2023 View Photos That lineup consists of the base Impreza, the Sport, and the new RS. —

Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 4 Apr. 2023 Those guarantees include $170,000 of his base salary along with a $30,000 signing bonus. —

Oliver Thomas, Forbes, 5 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'base.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin basis, from Greek, step, base, from bainein to go — more at come

Verb

verbal derivative of base entry 1

Adjective (1)

Middle English bas, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bassus fat, short, low

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c(1)

Verb

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective (2)

1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of base was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

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Checking in with a sporting piece of business jargon

Cite this Entry

Style

“Base.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/base. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

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Kids Definition

base

1 of 3 noun

ˈbās

plural bases ˈbā-səz

: a thing or part on which something rests : bottom, foundation

the base of a lamp

: the part of a plant or animal structure by which it is attached to another more central structure

the base of the thumb

: one of the lines or flat surfaces of a geometric figure from which an altitude is or can be constructed

bases of a trapezoid

especially : one on which the figure stands

base of a triangle

: a main ingredient

paint having a water base

: a fundamental part : basis

: the place from which a start is made

: a line in a survey that is used to calculate distances or positions

: a place where a military force keeps its supplies or from which it starts its operations

naval base

air base

: a number equal to the number of units that would be equivalent to one in the next higher place in a given number system

in base 10 it takes 10 ones in the units place to equal a one in the tens place

also : a system of writing numbers using a given base

convert base 10 to base 2

: root entry 1 sense 5

: the starting place or goal in various games

: any of the four stations a runner in baseball must touch in order to score

: any of various compounds that react with an acid to form a salt, have a bitter taste, and turn red litmus paper blue

: 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% multiply the base 90 by .10

based adjective

baseless

ˈbās-ləs

adjective

base

2 of 3 verb

based; basing

: to make, form, or serve as a base for

: to use as a base or basis for : establish

base

3 of 3 adjective

: being of low value and having less desirable properties when compared with something else

a base metal such as iron

: containing more than the usual amount of base metals

: not honorable or moral : mean

base conduct

basely adverb

baseness noun

Medical Definition

base

noun

ˈbās

plural bases ˈbā-səz

: 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

: the usually inactive ingredient of a preparation serving as the vehicle for the active medicinal preparation

the fatty base of an ointment

: the chief active ingredient of a preparation

called also basis

: 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 alkali

: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil

: freebase

based

ˈbāst

adjective