plural bass or basses
: any of numerous edible marine or freshwater bony fishes (especially families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae of the order Perciformes)
1
: deep or grave in tone
2
a
: of low pitch
b
: relating to or having the range or part of a bass
1
a
: the lowest voice part in a 4-part chorus
b
: the lower half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range compare treble entry 1
c
: the lowest adult male singing voice
also
: a person having this voice
d
: a member of a family of instruments having the lowest range
especially
: double bass
2
: a deep or grave tone : a low-pitched sound
1
2
: a coarse tough fiber from palms
Examples of bass in a Sentence
Adjective
the sound of the bass drum
a man with an impressive bass voice
Recent Examples on the Web
Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2025
Malo initially was on bass and backing vocals, along with lead singer-guitarist Robert Reynolds, drummer Paul Deaking and lead guitarist Ben Peeler.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
Born on July 19, 1941, in Chicago, Upchurch began making music at a young age, starting with the ukulele at 13 before quickly mastering guitar, bass and drums.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2025
There is no fishing license required for Irvine Lake, but there is a five-fish limit and bass caught in the lake must be released, same with catfish that are 24 inches or longer.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bass
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Noun
Her vocals drift on the fluttery synth that swells as the bass whirs.
—Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2025
Malo initially was on bass and backing vocals, along with lead singer-guitarist Robert Reynolds, drummer Paul Deaking and lead guitarist Ben Peeler.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
Born on July 19, 1941, in Chicago, Upchurch began making music at a young age, starting with the ukulele at 13 before quickly mastering guitar, bass and drums.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 6 Dec. 2025
There is no fishing license required for Irvine Lake, but there is a five-fish limit and bass caught in the lake must be released, same with catfish that are 24 inches or longer.
—Heather McRea, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bass
Cite this Entry
“Bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bass. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bass
1 of 2 noun
plural bass or basses
: any of various spiny-finned freshwater or saltwater sport and food fishes
bass
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the lowest musical part in harmony for four parts compare alto sense 1b, soprano entry 2 sense 1, tenor sense 2a
b
: the lower half of a musical tone range compare treble
2
a
: the lowest male singing voice or a person who has this voice
b
: a person or instrument performing the bass part
bass
adjective
Etymology
Noun
Old English bærs "bass"
Noun
Middle English bas (adjective) "being or having a low solemn tone"
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