basic

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

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: basic in a Sentence

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 best way to help is to provide for a family’s basic needs.

— elaine ayala, San Antonio Express-News, "Catholic Charities requesting supplies for families at border," 10 July 2018
The basic premise that paying an elite high school basketball player to attend a particular college is evidence of criminal conduct should not be accepted as a given or as an absolute truth.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Why Maryland Receiving FBI Subpoenas Should Worry Other College Programs, Basketball Players," 7 July 2018
In Virginia, the basic premise is that physical education or health education curricula for ninth and 10th graders have a mental health component.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "New York and Virginia Become the First States to Require Mental Health Education in Schools," 4 July 2018
Through several different programs, the organization works with community members to secure basic needs such as clothing, food and health services as well as with those who are homeless or at risk of becoming so.

— jane stueckemann, Houston Chronicle, "Spring-based nonprofit steps in to help Hurricane Harvey victims as FEMA funding ends," 29 June 2018
Her work at the motel pays little but covers her basic needs.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "A government official's child rape is swept under the rug in Angels Wear White," 27 June 2018
To treat children in such a cruel manner not only violates their legal rights but also their basic needs.

— andrea park, CBS News, "George and Amal Clooney donate $100,000 to aid migrant children, say they were inspired by their twins," 20 June 2018
To treat children in such a cruel manner not only violates their legal rights but also their basic needs.

— Vogue, "George and Amal Clooney Just Donated $100,000 to Immigrant Children’s Rights," 20 June 2018
That's the basic premise of The Proposal, the new ABC reality show from The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss and hosted by NFL player and former Bachelor Jesse Palmer.

— carol motsinger, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati woman tries to get engaged to a stranger in an hour - and on television," 18 June 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

Summertime is a great time to review the basics of how to be safe in bear country.

— marc lester, Anchorage Daily News, "Yawning and wandering: Black bear family spotted in Northeast Anchorage," 12 June 2018
In Los Angeles, jeans and tank tops are part of the everyday wardrobe, but Lily-Rose Depp always finds a way to elevate her basics.

— janelle okwodu, Vogue, "Lily-Rose Depp Brings Back a Surprising Retro Sneaker," 4 Apr. 2018
Attend this workshop and explore the basics and hidden secrets of YouTube.

— Lake County News-Sun, "Calendar," 29 Mar. 2018
But in the weeks to come, the National Republican Congressional Committee quietly dispatched a staffer to the district to walk Saccone, who lacked any donor infrastructure, through the basics of how to fundraise.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Twisting the dragon's tail," 8 Mar. 2018
Beiler says that her brand provides timeless basics such as sleepwear, swimwear and plain cotton pieces.

— jordyn noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This Lake Country children's clothing store started then grew online. Now, it has a storefront in Delafield.," 12 July 2018
The vote was Wednesday, the winners in a runaway over Morocco, which is missing basics such as stadiums, not that such matters has stopped FIFA before.

— mike jensen, Philly.com, "The World Cup is coming, and memories from '94 flood back," 13 June 2018
From the popular day heels to everyday shift dresses and easy wide-leg pants, there are plenty of good basics to wear all summer long, with clothing going up to a size 14 and shoes to a size 11.

— lindsay peoples, The Cut, "The 19 Best Things to Buy From Everlane’s Sale," 8 June 2018
Thomas, 44, was able to get a job at wholesale club B.J.'s for $12 an hour — but that was only after signing up for computer lessons and taking a class in retail basics like how to track inventory and handle issues like returns.

— anne d'innocenzio, chicagotribune.com, "Need an entry-level job at a store? It can be harder now," 30 May 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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Definition of basic

basicity

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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

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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

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basic

Definition of basic for Students

basically

basic

Definition of basic for Students

Medical Dictionary

basic

medical Definition of basic

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