basement

noun

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base·ment | \ ˈbās-mənt

Definition of basement

1 : the part of a building that is wholly or partly below ground level

2 : the ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture

3 : the lowest or fundamental part of something specifically : the rocks underlying stratified rocks

4 chiefly New England : a toilet or washroom especially in a school

5a : a low state, rank, or condition With their stock in the basement and red ink all over their balance sheet, many struggling [companies] are finding that fund-raising has become an exceedingly difficult proposition.— Brad Stone

b : the lowest place in the standings : cellar sense 2 Last year, the Phillies finished in the basement of the NL East with 68 wins, tied with the Cubs for the fewest wins in the league. — Boston Herald

Other Words from basement Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing basement Learn More About basement

Examples of basement in a Sentence

we store our bicycles in the basement during the winter the basement of the outdoor fountain needs a lot of restoration work

Recent Examples on the Web The 4-story home spans roughly 4,200 square feet plus a basement, according to Jeremy Stein of Sotheby’s International Realty, who has the listing with Jennifer Henson. — Libertina Brandt, WSJ, 18 May 2022 Thus, when the season began, most prognosticators tabbed the Reds for fourth place in the NL Central ahead of only the Pirates, who have had three straight finishes in the division’s basement. — John Perrotto, Forbes, 17 May 2022 John May of Creekstone Design + Remodel in Tigard completed a whole house remodel that includes a basement converted into an in-law apartment for this multi-generational family. — oregonlive, 17 May 2022 This paint is great for basement and garage walls as well as any other masonry surfaces indoors and out, like retaining walls, fountains, planters, and basins. — Barbara Bellesi Zito, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2022 Joey Morona reports the 2010-built house offers two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms in 2,384 square feet, plus a basement and two-car garage. — cleveland, 16 May 2022 The teen repeatedly tried to run away, and staff punished him by forcing him to spend days on end in the school’s basement without food. — BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2022 Spero moved into his grandparents’ basement and started practicing the piano religiously. — Sean Burch, SPIN, 13 May 2022 About 90 people were hiding in the school basement in the eastern village of Bilohorivka when it was attacked, according to Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the eastern Luhansk region. — Washington Post, 8 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'basement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.