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
PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025
Yet because most loudspeaker systems are limited in bass extension due to their use of smaller-sized woofers and cabinets, lower frequencies generally roll off steeply from about 80 Hz.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2025
On a recent evening, a pair of newcomers were seated at the bar in the Coop, the establishment’s luxe back room, replete with mid-century-modern furnishings and bass-heavy house music.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025
The interviews will also spotlight longtime local players like Al Finnell, who’s played bass guitar with jazz bands around Indianapolis since the 1950s.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bass
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Noun
Earbuds Deals Beats Studio Buds arrive with active noise cancellation, big bass balanced by crisp highs, and one-touch pairing for Android and iOS that streamlines setup from the jump that too at a 34% discount.
—PC Magazine, 15 Nov. 2025
Yet because most loudspeaker systems are limited in bass extension due to their use of smaller-sized woofers and cabinets, lower frequencies generally roll off steeply from about 80 Hz.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 14 Nov. 2025
On a recent evening, a pair of newcomers were seated at the bar in the Coop, the establishment’s luxe back room, replete with mid-century-modern furnishings and bass-heavy house music.
—Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025
The interviews will also spotlight longtime local players like Al Finnell, who’s played bass guitar with jazz bands around Indianapolis since the 1950s.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 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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