basic

adjective ba·sic \ ˈbā-sik also -zik \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of basic

1 a : of, relating to, or forming the base or essence : fundamental

basic truths

b : concerned with fundamental scientific principles : not applied

basic research

2 : constituting or serving as the basis or starting point

a basic set of tools

3 a : of, relating to, containing, or having the character of a chemical base

b : having an alkaline reaction

4 : containing relatively little silica

basic rocks

5 : relating to, made by, used in, or being a process of making steel done in a furnace lined with basic material and under basic slag

—

basicity

play \bā-ˈsi-sə-tē\ noun

See basic defined for English-language learners

See basic defined for kids

Examples of basic in a Sentence

In this class, you will learn the basic principles of chemistry.
At its most basic level, the book is about a father's relationship with his children.
The basic difference between the two companies is their size.
rights that are basic to all human beings
basic reading, writing, and mathematics
She lacks even the most basic skills necessary for the job.
That's just the basic salary without overtime or tips.
The motel is comfortable but pretty basic: you get the necessities all right, but no luxuries.

Recent Examples of basic from the Web

The newness of it all has fueled Nagy’s basic approach to these practices.

— rich campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Matt Nagy relishing ups and downs of Mitch Trubisky's introduction to Bears offense," 18 Apr. 2018
Initial criticisms leveraged at the lab dwelled on projects, like a taxi-hailing app, that appeared to glance past the deep and basic needs of many residents.

— julia cooke, Curbed, "How Mexico City’s urban innovation lab tackles the city’s challenges," 18 Apr. 2018
Disclosing anything that looks like a conflict of interest is a basic tenet of honest journalism.

— jay willis, GQ, "Fox News Was Always Going to Enable Sean Hannity," 18 Apr. 2018
Over the past nine months, Google has been trying to change that through Grasshopper, a mobile game meant to teach adults the basic principles of coding.

— lisa eadicicco, Time, "Google Just Launched a Smartphone Game to Teach Adults How to Code," 18 Apr. 2018
The clients all learned the basic crampon and ice-ax techniques and eventually scratched their way up the face.

— nathaniel wilder, Smithsonian, "A Daring Journey Into the Big Unknown of America’s Largest National Park," 18 Apr. 2018
Often, things as basic as grabbing coffee or talking on the phone regularly can go a long way in building these bridges.

— staff reports, charlotteobserver, "NC House candidates: Where they stand on key issues | Charlotte Observer," 17 Apr. 2018
But then, a lot of fundamental stuff is getting ground up in Trump’s ever-accelerating deportation machine — not just rights but just basic human compassion and common sense.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "'I get my orders from above.' How Trump's deportation machine keeps Philly newlyweds on ICE | Will Bunch," 17 Apr. 2018
His office sent detailed questionnaires to the thirteen exchanges, asking them to disclose who owns and controls them, and how their basic operation and transaction fees work.

— shannon liao, The Verge, "New York’s attorney general is investigating bitcoin exchanges," 17 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of basic

¹base + ¹-ic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1842

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

basic Synonyms

basic

noun

Definition of basic

1 : something that is basic : fundamental

get back to basics

2 : basic training

See basic defined for English-language learners

Examples of basic in a Sentence

He's teaching me the basics of Japanese cooking.
He starts basic in two months.

Recent Examples of basic from the Web

Mayborn’s tommee tippee brand, known as Pump & Go in the U.S, was voted the best new arrival in the Cribsie Awards 2016 and won the maternity basics category in The Bump’s Best of Baby Awards 2016, according to the company.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Baby Product Manufacturer Gets $400K From State To Move U.S. HQ To Stamford," 18 Apr. 2018
Don’t forget your you-pick basics before heading out to a local farm.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Where to pick peaches in Central Florida," 16 Apr. 2018
This kit contains three very easy workhorse basics.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "The 10 Best Products From Dermstore’s Secret Sale," 13 Apr. 2018
Moss began his career in education in 1983 teaching middle school students basics of construction.

— trisha powell crain, AL.com, "4 Alabama state superintendent finalists named," 13 Apr. 2018
Jennifer Fisher gold hoops and strappy stilettos completed the bombshell goes back-to-basics message.

— maria ward, Vogue, "Did Emily Ratajkowski Just Kill Off the Crop Top?," 10 Apr. 2018
Google staff will lead hands-on workshops about online marketing for small businesses, job-search strategies, email basics and search engine optimization.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "Google to offer free training and coaching in Cleveland on May 11," 9 Apr. 2018
Here are some things to know about the spending plan: The very basicsThe City Council introduced the budget March 27 and will conduct a public hearing on April 24.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "Slidell's $62.6 million budget -- 6 things to know," 9 Apr. 2018
Kate McKinnon is setting the example in a new video basics of saving money.

— megan ditrolio, Marie Claire, "Watch Kate McKinnon Teach Kids About Money," 5 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of basic

1908

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

BASIC

noun BA·SIC \ ˈbā-sik \

Definition of BASIC

computers : a simplified high-level language for programming a computer

The program was written in BASIC.

See BASIC defined for English-language learners

See BASIC defined for kids

Examples of basic in a Sentence

The program is written in BASIC.

Origin and Etymology of basic

Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1964

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

BASIC Defined for English Language Learners

basic

adjective

Definition of basic for English Language Learners

: forming or relating to the most important part of something
: forming or relating to the first or easiest part of something
: not including anything extra

basic

noun

Definition of basic for English Language Learners

basics : the simplest and most important parts of something (such as a subject of study)

BASIC

noun

Definition of BASIC for English Language Learners

computers : a simple language used for programming computers

BASIC Defined for Kids

basic

adjective ba·sic \ ˈbā-sik \

Definition of basic for Students

1 : relating to or forming the basis or most important part of something

the basic principles of science

a basic set of tools

2 : relating to or characteristic of a chemical base

a basic compound

—

basically

\-si-kə-lē\ adverb

basic

noun

Definition of basic for Students

: something that is one of the simplest and most important parts of something

the basics of farming

Medical Dictionary

basic

adjective ba·sic \ ˈbā-sik also -zik \

medical Definition of basic

1 : of, relating to, or forming the base or essence

2 a : of, relating to, containing, or having the character of a base

b : having an alkaline reaction

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basic

Definition of basic

basicity

Examples of basic in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of basic

basic Synonyms

Synonyms

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basic

Definition of basic

Examples of basic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of basic from the Web

First Known Use of basic

BASIC

Definition of BASIC

Examples of basic in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of basic

Other Computer-Related Terms

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BASIC Defined for English Language Learners

basic

Definition of basic for English Language Learners

basic

Definition of basic for English Language Learners

BASIC

Definition of BASIC for English Language Learners

BASIC Defined for Kids

basic

Definition of basic for Students

basically

basic

Definition of basic for Students

Medical Dictionary

basic

medical Definition of basic

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