Different meanings of the word base

Recent Examples on the Web



The day after filming her final scene in Los Angeles, Ms. Coroy, rather than hanging out in Hollywood, headed home to Santa María de Jesús, a Kaqchikel Maya town of about 22,000 at the base of a volcano in Guatemala.


Julia Lieblich, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2023





In a second email, the spokesperson said that Binance has a total of 26,000 affiliates, and that the social media mavens attract around 2 million new users a year to its base audience of 120 million.


Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2023





The base model comes with a small discount to the Long Range model, and starts at $51,630.


Jack Fitzgerald, Car and Driver, 8 Apr. 2023





Both of the walks were later picked off base.


Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 8 Apr. 2023





The interactions can become physical, if the pod chases the newcomer or bites his peduncle, the area at the base of the tail.


Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2023





Warren and others at the base monitored all of it in real time.


Mark Thiessen, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Apr. 2023





But dirt paths lead along the base of the hills where the poppies massed.


Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2023





By adding white flowering bushes at the base, the star jasmine vining up the trellises takes on a whimsical attitude.


Kelsey Mulvey, ELLE Decor, 5 Apr. 2023




The first was the B-90 Sarov, based on the ubiquitous Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine which, unusually, has a nuclear reactor used only for electrical generation instead of directly turning the propeller.


Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 10 Apr. 2023





The fact that the United States bases its assessments on many sources is no secret.


Shane Harris, Dan Lamothe, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Apr. 2023





Mario, which creates an instant new film franchise, shattered numerous other records, including landing the top opening ever for a movie based on a video game and the top opening of 2023 to date on all fronts after surpassing Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantunamia.


Pamela Mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2023





Largely based on a person’s behavior, social credit scores are used in China to gauge if citizens are allowed to do such things as purchase property or buy plane tickets.


By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square Contributor , Washington Examiner, 9 Apr. 2023





But proposing legislation based on future outcomes is a challenge, according to Alex Barnard, assistant professor of sociology at New York University.


Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2023





Under directed payments, added funding for hospitals and other Medicaid medical providers flows through different avenues, including minimum fees for services, a general reimbursement increase, and pay hikes based on quality of care.


Andy Miller, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2023





Here’s a look at the team, based on information provided by the DA’s office.


Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2023





The show, based on the book series by Atlanta author Karin Slaughter, has generated consistently solid ratings, relatively speaking.


Rodney Ho, ajc, 8 Apr. 2023




Or will we always be bound by the most base desires of human nature, destined to come up short of our ideals for the rest of time?


Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2023





Chevy also rolls out Sport and Midnight editions for the base LS model.


Frankie Cruz, Car and Driver, 14 Mar. 2023





The 12-year city attorney, who earned a base salary of about $231,000, was first elected to the post in 2010 when Chula Vista had no limitations on how long someone could serve.


San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023





Next season, Ekeler is set to make a base salary of only $6.25 million, which is well below his market value.


Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2023





Shaw’s base salary of $950,000 is less than the $1.1 million Squires received his last full year on the job in 2021, and the $4.7 million target for bonuses and supplemental stock grants is less than the $8.6 million in stock and options that Squires received.


Chris Isidore, CNN, 3 Mar. 2023





His base salary was $292,500.


Sarah Ravani, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Feb. 2023





The Car and Driver Difference Infotainment and Connectivity While the Niro’s standard infotainment display is an 8.0-inch touchscreen, a larger 10.3-inch infotainment display is included on all but the base LX trim and carries in-dash navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio.


Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 16 Feb. 2023





National City police officers receive a base annual salary between $83,900 and $107,000, according to the city.


Tammy Murgareporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2023



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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘base.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Other forms: based; bases; baser; basest; basing

The base of something is usually the foundation, starting point, or main ingredient of something. A soup base is the flavoring or broth you use to get your soup started.

If you’re a soldier, you might live on a base («place where you’re stationed»). When your unit plays softball, you must touch each base before scoring. The bottom of pentagon-shaped home plate is its base («bottom»). Yelling at or pushing the umpire is considered base («mean-spirited») behavior. At end of the season, your team might get a trophy, which sits on a base («pedestal»), or a plaque made of brass, an alloy of zinc, which is base metal (it corrodes easily).

Definitions of base

  1. noun

    lowest support of a structure

    “it was built on a
    base of solid rock”

    synonyms:

    foot, foundation, fundament, groundwork, substructure, understructure

  2. noun

    a support or foundation

    “the
    base of the lamp”

    synonyms:

    pedestal, stand

  3. noun

    a flat bottom on which something is intended to sit

    “a tub should sit on its own
    base

  4. noun

    the bottom or lowest part

    “the
    base of the mountain”

  5. noun

    the bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructed

    “the
    base of the triangle”

  6. noun

    (anatomy) the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment

  7. synonyms:

    floor

    see moresee less

    types:

    price floor

    floor below which prices are not allowed to fall

    wage floor

    floor below which wages are not allowed to fall

    type of:

    control

    the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.

  8. adjective

    serving as or forming a base

    “the painter applied a
    base coat followed by two finishing coats”

    synonyms:

    basal

    basic

    pertaining to or constituting a base or basis

  9. noun

    the most important or necessary part of something

  10. noun

    the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

  11. noun

    the place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end

  12. noun

    installation from which a military force initiates operations

    “the attack wiped out our forward
    bases

    synonyms:

    base of operations

  13. noun

    the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area

    “the industrial
    base of Japan”

    synonyms:

    infrastructure

  14. noun

    (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed

  15. noun

    the principal ingredient of a mixture

    “glycerinated gelatin is used as a
    base for many ointments”

    “he told the painter that he wanted a yellow
    base with just a hint of green”

    “everything she cooked seemed to have rice as the
    base

  16. verb

    use as a basis for; found on

    base a claim on some observation”

    synonyms:

    establish, found, ground

  17. verb

    situate as a center of operations

    “we will
    base this project in the new lab”

  18. noun

    a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside; the basic structural unit of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA)

    synonyms:

    nucleotide

    see moresee less

    types:

    show 10 types…
    hide 10 types…
    base pair

    one of the pairs of chemical bases joined by hydrogen bonds that connect the complementary strands of a DNA molecule or of an RNA molecule that has two strands; the base pairs are adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine in DNA and adenine with uracil and guanine with cytosine in RNA

    AMP, adenosine monophosphate, adenylic acid

    a nucleotide found in muscle cells and important in metabolism; reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP

    ADP, adenosine diphosphate

    an ester of adenosine that is converted to ATP for energy storage

    ATP, adenosine triphosphate

    a nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue; the major source of energy for cellular reactions

    A, deoxyadenosine monophosphate

    one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

    C, deoxycytidine monophosphate

    one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

    G, deoxyguanosine monophosphate

    one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

    T, deoxythymidine monophosphate

    one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

    muton

    the smallest unit of DNA where a mutation can occur

    U, uracil

    a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

    type of:

    ester

    formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water

  19. noun

    any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water

    bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia”

    synonyms:

    alkali

    see moresee less

    types:

    show 11 types…
    hide 11 types…
    pyridine

    a toxic colorless flammable liquid organic base with a disagreeable odor; usually derived from coal

    purine

    a colorless crystalline organic base containing nitrogen; the parent compound of various biologically important substances

    purine

    any of several bases that are derivatives of purine

    glyoxaline, imidazole, iminazole

    an organic base C3H4N2; a histamine inhibitor

    cyanuramide, melamine

    a white crystalline organic base; used mainly in making melamine resins

    pyrimidine

    any of several basic compounds derived from pyrimidine

    A, adenine

    (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA

    C, cytosine

    a base found in DNA and RNA and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with guanine

    G, guanine

    a purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with cytosine

    T, thymine

    a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

    triphosphopyridine

    a pyridine ring with three phosphorus groups

    type of:

    chemical compound, compound

    (chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight

  20. noun

    (numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place

  21. noun

    a place that the runner must touch before scoring

  22. noun

    (electronics) the part of a transistor that separates the emitter from the collector

  23. verb

    use (purified cocaine) by burning it and inhaling the fumes

  24. adjective

    of low birth or station (`base’ is archaic in this sense)

    synonyms:

    baseborn, humble, lowly

    lowborn

    of humble birth or origins

  25. adjective

    debased; not genuine

    “an attempt to eliminate the
    base coinage”

    Synonyms:

    counterfeit, imitative

    not genuine; imitating something superior

  26. synonyms:

    baseborn

    illegitimate

    of marriages and offspring; not recognized as lawful

  27. adjective

    not adhering to ethical or moral principles

    base and unpatriotic motives”

    “a
    base, degrading way of life”

    synonyms:

    immoral

    wrong

    contrary to conscience or morality or law

  28. adjective

    having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality

    “»that liberal obedience without which your army would be a
    base rabble»- Edmund Burke”

    synonyms:

    mean, meanspirited

    ignoble

    completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose

  29. adjective

    (used of metals) consisting of or alloyed with inferior metal

    base coins of aluminum”

    “a
    base metal”

    Synonyms:

    inferior

    of low or inferior quality

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘base’.
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base

the bottom support; that on which something stands; a fundamental principle; basis; foundation: Place the vase on the base.

Not to be confused with:

bass – (pronounced b¯ass) in music, low in pitch or range, a bass voice or instrument: He sings bass.

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

base 1

 (bās)

n.

1. The lowest or bottom part: the base of a cliff; the base of a lamp.

2. Biology

a. The part of a plant or animal organ that is nearest to its point of attachment.

b. The point of attachment of such an organ.

3.

a. A supporting part or layer; a foundation: a skyscraper built on a base of solid rock.

b. A basic or underlying element; infrastructure: the nation’s industrial base.

4. The fundamental principle or underlying concept of a system or theory; a basis.

5. A fundamental ingredient; a chief constituent: a paint with an oil base.

6. The fact, observation, or premise from which a reasoning process is begun.

7.

a. Games A starting point, safety area, or goal.

b. Baseball Any one of the four corners of an infield, marked by a bag or plate, that must be touched by a runner before a run can be scored.

8.

a. A center of organization, supply, or activity; a headquarters.

b. The portion of a social organization, especially a political party, consisting of the most dedicated or motivated members.

9.

a. A fortified center of operations.

b. A supply center for a large force of military personnel.

10. A facial cosmetic used to even out the complexion or provide a surface for other makeup; a foundation.

11. Architecture The lowest part of a structure, such as a wall, considered as a separate unit: the base of a column.

12. Heraldry The lower part of a shield.

13. Linguistics A morpheme or morphemes regarded as a form to which affixes or other bases may be added.

14. Mathematics

a. The side or face of a geometric figure to which an altitude is or is thought to be drawn.

b. The number that is raised to various powers to generate the principal counting units of a number system. The base of the decimal system, for example, is 10.

c. The number raised to the logarithm of a designated number in order to produce that designated number; the number at which a chosen logarithmic scale has the value 1.

15. A line used as a reference for measurement or computations.

16. Chemistry

a. Any of a class of compounds whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a bitter taste, a slippery feel, the ability to turn litmus blue, and the ability to react with acids to form salts.

b. A substance that yields hydroxide ions when dissolved in water.

c. A substance that can act as a proton acceptor.

d. A substance that can donate a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.

17. Electronics

a. The region in a transistor between the emitter and the collector.

b. The electrode attached to this region.

18. One of the nitrogen-containing purines (adenine and guanine) or pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, and uracil) that occurs attached to the sugar component of DNA or RNA.

adj.

1. Forming or serving as a base: a base layer of soil.

2. Situated at or near the base or bottom: a base camp for the mountain climbers.

3. Chemistry Of, relating to, or containing a base.

tr.v. based, bas·ing, bas·es

1. To form or provide a base for: based the new company in Portland.

2. To find a basis for; establish: based her conclusions on the report; a film based on a best-selling novel.

3. To assign to a base; station: troops based in the Middle East.

Idiom:


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin basis, from Greek; see gwā- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: base1, basis, foundation, ground1, groundwork
These nouns all pertain to what underlies and supports. Base is used broadly in both literal and figurative contexts: the wide base of the pyramid; a party seeking to expand its power base.
Basis is used in a nonphysical sense: «Healthy scepticism is the basis of all accurate observation» (Arthur Conan Doyle).
Foundation often stresses firmness of support for something of relative magnitude: «Our flagrant disregard for the law attacks the foundation of this society» (Peter D. Relic).
Ground is used figuratively, especially in the plural, to mean a justifiable reason: grounds for divorce.
Groundwork usually has the sense of a necessary preliminary: «It [the Universal Declaration of Human Rights] has laid the groundwork for the world’s war crimes tribunals» (Hillary Rodham Clinton).


base 2

 (bās)

adj. bas·er, bas·est

1. Having or showing a lack of decency; contemptible, mean-spirited, or selfish.

2.

a. Being a metal that is of little value.

b. Containing such metals: base coins.

3. Archaic Of low birth, rank, or position.

4. Obsolete Short in stature.

n. Obsolete

A bass singer or voice.


[Middle English bas, low, from Old French, from Medieval Latin bassus.]


base′ly adv.

base′ness n.

Synonyms: base2, low1, abject, ignoble, mean2, sordid
These adjectives mean lacking in dignity or falling short of the standards befitting humans. Base suggests a contemptible, mean-spirited, or selfish lack of human decency: «that liberal obedience, without which your army would be a base rabble» (Edmund Burke).
Something low violates standards of morality, ethics, or propriety: low cunning; a low trick. Abject means degrading or miserable: abject failure; abject poverty. Ignoble means lacking noble qualities, such as elevated moral character: «For my part I think it a less evil that some criminals should escape than that the government should play an ignoble part» (Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.).
Mean suggests pettiness, spite, or stinginess: «Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own» (J.M. Barrie).
Sordid suggests foul, repulsive degradation: «It is through art … that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence» (Oscar Wilde).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

base

(beɪs)

n

1. the bottom or supporting part of anything

2. the fundamental or underlying principle or part, as of an idea, system, or organization; basis

3.

a. a centre of operations, organization, or supply: the climbers made a base at 8000 feet.

b. (as modifier): base camp.

4. (Military) a centre from which military activities are coordinated

5. anything from which a process, as of measurement, action, or thought, is or may be begun; starting point: the new discovery became the base for further research.

6. the main ingredient of a mixture: to use rice as a base in cookery.

7. (Chemistry) a chemical compound that combines with an acid to form a salt and water. A solution of a base in water turns litmus paper blue, produces hydroxyl ions, and has a pH greater than 7. Bases are metal oxides or hydroxides or amines. See also Lewis base

8. (Biochemistry) biochem any of the nitrogen-containing constituents of nucleic acids: adenine, thymine (in DNA), uracil (in RNA), guanine, or cytosine

9. (Dyeing) a medium such as oil or water in which the pigment is dispersed in paints, inks, etc; vehicle

10. (Chemistry) the inorganic material on which the dye is absorbed in lake pigments; carrier

11. (Biology) biology

a. the part of an organ nearest to its point of attachment

b. the point of attachment of an organ or part

12. the bottommost layer or part of anything

13. (Architecture) architect

a. the lowest division of a building or structure

b. the lower part of a column or pier

15. (Mathematics) the lower side or face of a geometric construction

16. (Mathematics) maths

a. the number of distinct single-digit numbers in a counting system, and so the number represented as 10 in a place-value system: the binary system has two digits, 0 and 1, and 10 to base 2 represents 2. See place-value

b. (of a logarithm or exponential) the number whose powers are expressed: since 1000 = 103, the logarithm of 1000 to base 10 is 3.

c. (of a mathematical structure) a substructure from which the given system can be generated

d. the initial instance from which a generalization is proven by mathematical induction

17. (Logic) logic maths Also called: base clause the initial element of a recursive definition, that defines the first element of the infinite sequence generated thereby

18. (Linguistics) linguistics

a. a root or stem

19. (Electronics) electronics the region in a transistor between the emitter and collector

20. (Photography) photog the glass, paper, or cellulose-ester film that supports the sensitized emulsion with which it is coated

21. (Heraldry) heraldry the lower part of the shield

22. (Jewellery) jewellery the quality factor used in pricing natural pearls

23. (Games, other than specified) a starting or finishing point in any of various games

24. (Baseball) baseball any of the four corners of the diamond, which runners have to reach in order to score

25. the main source of a certain commodity or element: a customer base; their fan base.

26. get to first base informal US and Canadian to accomplish the first stage in a project or a series of objectives

27. off base informal US and Canadian wrong or badly mistaken

28. touch base to make contact

vb

29. (tr foll by on or upon) to use as a basis (for); found (on): your criticisms are based on ignorance.

30. (often foll by: at or in) to station, post, or place (a person or oneself)

[C14: from Old French, from Latin basis pedestal; see basis]


base

(beɪs)

adj

1. devoid of honour or morality; ignoble; contemptible

2. of inferior quality or value

3. debased; alloyed; counterfeit: base currency.

4. (Historical Terms) English history

a. (of land tenure) held by villein or other ignoble service

b. holding land by villein or other ignoble service

5. archaic born of humble parents; plebeian

6. archaic illegitimate

adj, n

(Music, other) music an obsolete spelling of bass1

[C14: from Old French bas, from Late Latin bassus of low height, perhaps from Greek bassōn deeper]

ˈbasely adv

ˈbaseness n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

base1

(beɪs)

n., adj., v. based, bas•ing. n.

1. a bottom support; that on which a thing stands or rests.

2. a fundamental principle; basis.

3. the bottom layer or coating, as of makeup or paint.

4.

a. the distinctively treated portion of a column or pier below the shaft.

b. the distinctively treated lowermost portion of any structure, as a monument or exterior wall.

5.

a. the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment.

b. the point of attachment.

6. the principal element or ingredient of anything, considered as its fundamental part: house paint with a lead base.

7. a starting point or point of departure.

8.

a. any of the four corners of a baseball diamond, esp. first, second, or third base. Compare home plate.

b. a square canvas sack marking first, second, or third base.

9.

a. a usu. fortified place from which military operations proceed.

b. a supply installation for a large military force.

10.

a. the lower side or surface of a geometric figure; the side or surface to which an altitude can be drawn.

b. the number that serves as a starting point for a logarithmic or other numerical system.

c. the number of symbols used in a numerical system: The base in the decimal system is 10, in the binary system 2.

12. a thin, flexible layer of cellulose triacetate or similar material on photographic film that holds the light-sensitive emulsion and other coatings.

13.

a. a chemical compound that reacts with an acid to form a salt.

b. the hydroxide of a metal or of an electropositive element or group.

c. a group or molecule that accepts protons.

d. a molecule or ion containing an atom with a free pair of electrons that can be donated to an acid.

14. Genetics. any of the purine or pyrimidine compounds that constitute a portion of the nucleotide molecule of DNA or RNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, or uracil. Compare base pair.

15. the part of a complex word, consisting of one or more morphemes, to which derivational or inflectional affixes may be added, as want in unwanted or biolog- in biological. Compare root 1 (def. 10) , stem1 (def. 10).

16. the component of a generative grammar containing the lexicon and phrase-structure rules that generate the deep structure of sentences.

17. Heraldry. the lower part of an escutcheon.

adj.

19. serving as or forming a base: the explorer’s base camp.

v.t.

20. to make or form a base or foundation for.

21. to establish, as a fact or conclusion (usu. fol. by on or upon): to base an assumption on evidence.

22. to place or establish on a base or basis; ground; found (usu. fol. by on or upon): Our plan is based on an upturn in the economy.

23. to station, place, or situate (usu. fol. by at or on): The general is based at Fort Benning.

v.i.

24. to have a basis; be based.

25. to have or maintain a base.

Idioms:

1. off base,

a. (in baseball) not touching a base.

b. badly mistaken.

2. touch base, to get into contact.

[1275–1325; Middle English (n.) < Middle French < Latin basis basis; compare prisoner’s base]

syn: base, basis, foundation refer to anything upon which a structure is built and upon which it rests. base usu. refers to a physical supporting structure: the base of a statue. basis more often refers to a figurative support: the basis of a report. foundation implies a solid, secure understructure.

base2

(beɪs)

adj. bas•er, bas•est.

1. morally low; contemptible: base motives.

2. of little or no value; worthless: base materials.

3. debased or counterfeit: base coinage.

4. of illegitimate birth.

5. not refined: base language.

6. held by or characteristic of villeinage.

7. Archaic.

a. of humble origin or station.

b. of small height.

c. low in place, position, or degree.

8. Obs. deep or grave in sound; bass.

[1350–1400; Middle English bas < Old French < Late Latin bassus low, short, perhaps of Oscan orig.]

base′ly, adv.

base′ness, n.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

base

(bās)

1. Chemistry Any of a class of compounds that contain hydroxyl ions (OH) and are capable of neutralizing acids in solution. They react with acids and certain metals to form water and salts. Bases turn red litmus paper blue, have a bitter taste, and have a pH of greater than 7. Compare acid.

2. Mathematics

a. The side or face of a geometric figure to which an altitude is or is thought to be drawn. The base can be, but is not always, the bottom part of the figure.

b. The number that is raised to various powers to generate the principal counting units of a number system. The base of the decimal system, for example, is 10.

c. The number that is raised to a particular power in a given mathematical expression. In the expression an, a is the base.

3. Biology One of the purines (adenine or guanine) or pyrimidines (cytosine, thymine, or uracil) found in DNA or RNA.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

base

1. A locality from which operations are projected or supported.
2. An area or locality containing installations which provide logistic or other support. See also establishment.
3. (DOD only) Home airfield or home carrier. See also base of operations; facility.

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.

bass

base

These words are both usually pronounced /beɪs/.

1. ‘bass’

A bass is a male singer who can sing very low notes.

…the great Russian bass Chaliapin.

A bass saxophone, guitar, or other musical instrument is one that has a lower range of notes than other instruments of its kind.

The girl vocalist had been joined by the lead and bass guitars.

A bass is also an edible fish that is found in rivers and the sea. There are several types of bass.

They unloaded their catch of cod and bass.

Be Careful!
Note that this sense of the word bass is pronounced /bæs/.

2. ‘base’

The base of something is its lowest edge or part.

…the switch on the lamp base.

I had back pain starting at the base of my spine and shooting up it.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

base

Past participle: based
Gerund: basing

Imperative
base
base
Present
I base
you base
he/she/it bases
we base
you base
they base
Preterite
I based
you based
he/she/it based
we based
you based
they based
Present Continuous
I am basing
you are basing
he/she/it is basing
we are basing
you are basing
they are basing
Present Perfect
I have based
you have based
he/she/it has based
we have based
you have based
they have based
Past Continuous
I was basing
you were basing
he/she/it was basing
we were basing
you were basing
they were basing
Past Perfect
I had based
you had based
he/she/it had based
we had based
you had based
they had based
Future
I will base
you will base
he/she/it will base
we will base
you will base
they will base
Future Perfect
I will have based
you will have based
he/she/it will have based
we will have based
you will have based
they will have based
Future Continuous
I will be basing
you will be basing
he/she/it will be basing
we will be basing
you will be basing
they will be basing
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been basing
you have been basing
he/she/it has been basing
we have been basing
you have been basing
they have been basing
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been basing
you will have been basing
he/she/it will have been basing
we will have been basing
you will have been basing
they will have been basing
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been basing
you had been basing
he/she/it had been basing
we had been basing
you had been basing
they had been basing
Conditional
I would base
you would base
he/she/it would base
we would base
you would base
they would base
Past Conditional
I would have based
you would have based
he/she/it would have based
we would have based
you would have based
they would have based

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

base

(Usually a metal oxide or hydroxide) A substance existing as molecules or ions which can take up hydrogen ions. When a base reacts with an acid it forms a salt and water only.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun 1. base - installation from which a military force initiates operationsbase — installation from which a military force initiates operations; «the attack wiped out our forward bases»

base of operations

air base, air station — a base for military aircraft

army base — a large base of operations for an army

firebase — an artillery base to support advancing troops

military installation — any facility servicing military forces

navy base — base of operations for a naval fleet

rocket base — a military base for rocket missiles

armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine — the military forces of a nation; «their military is the largest in the region»; «the military machine is the same one we faced in 1991 but now it is weaker»

2. base - lowest support of a structurebase — lowest support of a structure; «it was built on a base of solid rock»; «he stood at the foot of the tower»

understructure, groundwork, substructure, foundation, fundament, foot

bed — a foundation of earth or rock supporting a road or railroad track; «the track bed had washed away»

raft foundation — a foundation (usually on soft ground) consisting of an extended layer of reinforced concrete

structure, construction — a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts; «the structure consisted of a series of arches»; «she wore her hair in an amazing construction of whirls and ribbons»

support — supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation; «the statue stood on a marble support»

3. base - a place that the runner must touch before scoringbase — a place that the runner must touch before scoring; «he scrambled to get back to the bag»

bag

baseball diamond, infield, diamond — the area of a baseball field that is enclosed by 3 bases and home plate

baseball equipment — equipment used in playing baseball

first base — the base that must be touched first by a base runner in baseball

home base, home plate, plate, home — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score; «he ruled that the runner failed to touch home»

second base — the base that must be touched second by a base runner in baseball

third base, third — the base that must be touched third by a base runner in baseball; «he was cut down on a close play at third»

4. base — the bottom or lowest part; «the base of the mountain»

part, piece — a portion of a natural object; «they analyzed the river into three parts»; «he needed a piece of granite»

5. base - (anatomy) the part of an organ nearest its point of attachmentbase — (anatomy) the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment; «the base of the skull»

anatomy, general anatomy — the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals

bottom — the lowest part of anything; «they started at the bottom of the hill»

6. base — a lower limit; «the government established a wage floor»

floor

control — the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.; «they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls»

price floor — floor below which prices are not allowed to fall; «the government used price supports to maintain the price floor»

wage floor — floor below which wages are not allowed to fall

7. base — the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained; «the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture»

cornerstone, fundament, groundwork, basis, foundation

explanation — thought that makes something comprehensible

meat and potatoes — the fundamental part; «successful negotiation is the meat and potatoes of arbitration»

supposal, supposition, assumption — a hypothesis that is taken for granted; «any society is built upon certain assumptions»

8. base - a support or foundationbase — a support or foundation; «the base of the lamp»

pedestal, stand

brass monkey — a metal stand that formerly held cannon balls on sailing ships

staddle — a base or platform on which hay or corn is stacked

support — any device that bears the weight of another thing; «there was no place to attach supports for a shelf»

trivet — a stand with short feet used under a hot dish on a table

trivet — a three-legged metal stand for supporting a cooking vessel in a hearth

9. base - a phosphoric ester of a nucleosidebase — a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside; the basic structural unit of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA)

nucleotide

base pair — one of the pairs of chemical bases joined by hydrogen bonds that connect the complementary strands of a DNA molecule or of an RNA molecule that has two strands; the base pairs are adenine with thymine and guanine with cytosine in DNA and adenine with uracil and guanine with cytosine in RNA

adenosine monophosphate, adenylic acid, AMP — a nucleotide found in muscle cells and important in metabolism; reversibly convertible to ADP and ATP

adenosine diphosphate, ADP — an ester of adenosine that is converted to ATP for energy storage

adenosine triphosphate, ATP — a nucleotide derived from adenosine that occurs in muscle tissue; the major source of energy for cellular reactions

deoxyadenosine monophosphate, A — one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

deoxycytidine monophosphate, C — one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

deoxyguanosine monophosphate, G — one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

deoxythymidine monophosphate, T — one of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

ester — formed by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water

muton — the smallest unit of DNA where a mutation can occur

U, uracil — a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

10. base — any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water; «bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia»

alkali

pyridine — a toxic colorless flammable liquid organic base with a disagreeable odor; usually derived from coal

purine — a colorless crystalline organic base containing nitrogen; the parent compound of various biologically important substances

purine — any of several bases that are derivatives of purine

chemical compound, compound — (chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight

glyoxaline, imidazole, iminazole — an organic base C3H4N2; a histamine inhibitor

cyanuramide, melamine — a white crystalline organic base; used mainly in making melamine resins

pyrimidine — any of several basic compounds derived from pyrimidine

11. base - the bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructedbase — the bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructed; «the base of the triangle»

flank — a subfigure consisting of a side of something

12. base - the most important or necessary part of somethingbase — the most important or necessary part of something; «the basis of this drink is orange juice»

basis

component part, part, portion, component, constituent — something determined in relation to something that includes it; «he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself»; «I read a portion of the manuscript»; «the smaller component is hard to reach»; «the animal constituent of plankton»

13. base — (numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place; «10 is the radix of the decimal system»

radix

number representation system, number system, numeration system, system of numeration — any notation for the representation of numbers

number — a concept of quantity involving zero and units; «every number has a unique position in the sequence»

14. base — the place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end

home

location — a point or extent in space

15. Base — a terrorist network intensely opposed to the United States that dispenses money and logistical support and training to a wide variety of radical Islamic terrorist groups; has cells in more than 50 countries

al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, al-Qa’ida, Qaeda

act of terrorism, terrorism, terrorist act — the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear

Afghanistan, Islamic State of Afghanistan — a mountainous landlocked country in central Asia; bordered by Iran to the west and Russia to the north and Pakistan to the east and south; «Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan in 1979»

Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Pakistan, West Pakistan — a Muslim republic that occupies the heartland of ancient south Asian civilization in the Indus River valley; formerly part of India; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947

16. base — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed; «thematic vowels are part of the stem»

root word, stem, root, theme, radical

linguistics — the scientific study of language

descriptor, form, signifier, word form — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something; «the inflected forms of a word can be represented by a stem and a list of inflections to be attached»

17. base — the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area; «the industrial base of Japan»

infrastructure

communication equipment, communication system — facility consisting of the physical plants and equipment for disseminating information

fire station, firehouse — a station housing fire apparatus and firemen

gas system — facility (plant and equipment) for providing natural-gas service

main — a principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage

penal facility, penal institution — an institution where persons are confined for punishment and to protect the public

power grid, power system, grid — a system of high tension cables by which electrical power is distributed throughout a region

public works — structures (such as highways or schools or bridges or docks) constructed at government expense for public use

school system — establishment including the plant and equipment for providing education from kindergarten through high school

sewage system, sewage works, sewer system — facility consisting of a system of sewers for carrying off liquid and solid sewage

transportation, transportation system, transit — a facility consisting of the means and equipment necessary for the movement of passengers or goods

water supply, water system, water — a facility that provides a source of water; «the town debated the purification of the water supply»; «first you have to cut off the water»

fund, store, stock — a supply of something available for future use; «he brought back a large store of Cuban cigars»

18. base — the principal ingredient of a mixture; «glycerinated gelatin is used as a base for many ointments»; «he told the painter that he wanted a yellow base with just a hint of green»; «everything she cooked seemed to have rice as the base»

ingredient — a component of a mixture or compound

19. base — a flat bottom on which something is intended to sit; «a tub should sit on its own base»

box — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid; «he rummaged through a box of spare parts»

lamp — a piece of furniture holding one or more electric light bulbs

vessel — an object used as a container (especially for liquids)

bottom, underside, undersurface — the lower side of anything

20. base — (electronics) the part of a transistor that separates the emitter from the collector

electrode — a conductor used to make electrical contact with some part of a circuit

electronic transistor, junction transistor, transistor — a semiconductor device capable of amplification

electronics — the branch of physics that deals with the emission and effects of electrons and with the use of electronic devices

Verb 1. base — use as a basis for; found on; «base a claim on some observation»

found, establish, ground

build — found or ground; «build a defense on nothing but the accused person’s reputation»

2. base — situate as a center of operations; «we will base this project in the new lab»

situate, locate — determine or indicate the place, site, or limits of, as if by an instrument or by a survey; «Our sense of sight enables us to locate objects in space»; «Locate the boundaries of the property»

3. base - use (purified cocaine) by burning it and inhaling the fumesbase — use (purified cocaine) by burning it and inhaling the fumes

free-base

do drugs, drug — use recreational drugs

Adj. 1. base - serving as or forming a basebase — serving as or forming a base; «the painter applied a base coat followed by two finishing coats»

basal

basic — pertaining to or constituting a base or basis; «a basic fact»; «the basic ingredients»; «basic changes in public opinion occur because of changes in priorities»

2. base - of low birth or station (`base' is archaic in this sense)base — of low birth or station (`base’ is archaic in this sense); «baseborn wretches with dirty faces»; «of humble (or lowly) birth»

baseborn, humble, lowly

lowborn — of humble birth or origins; «a topsy-turvy society of lowborn rich and blue-blooded poor»

3. base - (used of metals) consisting of or alloyed with inferior metalbase — (used of metals) consisting of or alloyed with inferior metal; «base coins of aluminum»; «a base metal»

inferior — of low or inferior quality

4. base - not adhering to ethical or moral principlesbase — not adhering to ethical or moral principles; «base and unpatriotic motives»; «a base, degrading way of life»; «cheating is dishonorable»; «they considered colonialism immoral»; «unethical practices in handling public funds»

immoral

wrong — contrary to conscience or morality or law; «it is wrong for the rich to take advantage of the poor»; «cheating is wrong»; «it is wrong to lie»

5. base - having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or moralitybase — having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality; «that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble»- Edmund Burke; «taking a mean advantage»; «chok’d with ambition of the meaner sort»- Shakespeare; «something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics»

meanspirited, mean

ignoble — completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose; «something cowardly and ignoble in his attitude»; «I think it a less evil that some criminals should escape than that the government should play an ignoble part»- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

6. base — illegitimate

baseborn

archaicism, archaism — the use of an archaic expression

illegitimate — of marriages and offspring; not recognized as lawful

7. base — debased; not genuine; «an attempt to eliminate the base coinage»

counterfeit, imitative — not genuine; imitating something superior; «counterfeit emotion»; «counterfeit money»; «counterfeit works of art»; «a counterfeit prince»

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

base

1


base

2

adjective dishonourable, evil, corrupt, infamous, disgraceful, vulgar, shameful, vile, immoral, scandalous, wicked, sordid, abject, despicable, depraved, ignominious, disreputable, contemptible, villainous, ignoble, discreditable, scungy (Austral. & N.Z.) Love has the power to overcome the baser emotions.
dishonourable good, just, rare, moral, pure, valuable, noble, upright, admirable, honourable, honest, righteous, virtuous

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

base 1

noun

1. The lowest or supporting part or structure:

basis, bed, bottom, foot, footing, foundation, fundament, ground, groundwork, seat, substratum, underpinning (often used in plural).

2. That on which something immaterial, such as an argument or a charge, rests:

3. A fundamental principle or underlying concept:

4. A center of organization, supply, or activity:

5. The main part of a word to which affixes are attached:

verb


base 2

adjective

1. Having or proceeding from low moral standards:

2. Of decidedly inferior quality:

3. Archaic. Lacking high station or birth:

baseborn, common, déclassé, declassed, humble, ignoble, lowly, mean, plebeian, unwashed, vulgar.

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

أساس، قاعِدَهدَنيئ، حَقيرقَاعِدَةقهعِدَه، مَرْكِزمنخفض

základnazákladzakládat sezásadadno

basebaserebasisfodfundament

alguspunktalusastebaaskodu

perustaperustaapesäsäädytöntukikohta

baza

alap

auvirîilegurbækistöî; höfuîstöîvargrundvalla, byggja ágrunnur, grunnefni, undirstöîuefniundirstaîa; stallur; neîsti hluti

土台

토대

atbalsta punktsbalstītbāzefundamentsizmantot par atbalsta punktu

mať základňuzakladať sizákladňa

bazaosnovnicapodstavektemelj

basbörjangrund

พื้นฐาน ฐานทัพ

đế

base

1 [beɪs]

C. CPD base camp Ncampo m base
base coat N [of paint] → primera capa f
base form N (Ling) → base f derivativa
base jumping N salto en paracaídas realizado ilegalmente desde rascacielos, puentes, etc.
base lending rate Ntipo m de interés base
base period Nperíodo m base
base rate Ntipo m de interés base


base

2 [beɪs] (baser (compar) (basest (superl))) ADJ

1. [action, motive] → vil, bajo

2. [metal] → bajo de ley

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

base

[ˈbeɪs]

n

(= lowest part) [cliff, post, tree] → pied m

(= bottom) [object, pan] → fond m

(= foundation) → base f

(political)base f

(also army base) → base f army base, military base

(= headquarters) → siège m

(= home) → base f
Her base was her home in Scotland → Elle se servait de sa maison en Écosse comme base.
Monaco is my base
BUT Je suis basé à Monaco.

to be off base (mainly US) (= wrong) [person] → se planter ; [suggestion] → être faux(fausse)

to touch all the bases, to cover the bases (= deal with everything) → tout envisager

vt

to be based in [+ town, country]
I’m based in London → Je suis basé à Londres.
They’re based in France → Ils sont basés en France.

[+ opinion, belief] to base sth on sth, to base sth upon sth → baser qch sur qch, fonder qch sur qch

to be based on sth (= derived from) [film, book] → être tiré(e) de qch; [food, drink, drug] → être à base de qch

adj (= unworthy) → vil(e), bas(se)

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

base

:

base hit

n (Baseball) Treffer, durch den der Schlagmann sicher das Mal erreichen kann

base jumping

nBasejumping nt


base

:

base wallah

n (Mil sl) → Etappenhengst m (Mil sl)


base

1

n

(= lowest part)Basis f; (= that on which sth stands also)Unterlage f; (Archit, of column also) → Fuß m; (= support for statue etc)Sockel m; (of lamp, tree, mountain)Fuß m; (= undercoat also)Grundierung f; at the base (of)unten (→ an +dat)

(Baseball) → Mal nt, → Base nt; at or on second baseauf Mal or Base 2, auf dem zweiten Mal or Base; to get to first base (fig)die ersten Erfolge erzielen; to touch base (US inf) → sich melden (with bei); to touch or cover all the bases (US fig) → an alles denken


base

2

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

base

1 [beɪs]

1. n (gen) (Mil) → base f


base

2 [beɪs] adj (liter) (action, motive) → basso/a; (behaviour) → ignobile

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

base1

(beis) noun

1. the foundation, support, or lowest part (of something), or the surface on which something is standing. the base of the statue; the base of the triangle; the base of the tree.

2. the main ingredient of a mixture. This paint has oil as a base.

3. a headquarters, starting-point etc. an army base.

verb

(often with on) to use as a foundation, starting-point etc. I base my opinion on evidence; Our group was based in Paris.

ˈbaseless adjective

without foundation or reason. a baseless claim.


base2

(beis) adjective

wicked or worthless. base desires.

ˈbasely adverbˈbaseness noun

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

base

قَاعِدَة dno base Basis βάση base perusta base baza base 土台 토대 basis basis podstawa base основа bas พื้นฐาน ฐานทัพ kaide đế 基础

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

base

n (chem, pharm, etc.) base f; (of an ulcer) base, fondo (de una úlcera); data — base de datos; evidence-based basado en la evidencia; oil-based, water-based, etc. a base de aceite, a base de agua, etc.

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.


noun

the bottom support of anything; that on which a thing stands or rests: a metal base for the table.

a fundamental principle or groundwork; foundation; basis: the base of needed reforms.

the bottom layer or coating, as of makeup or paint.

Architecture.

  1. the distinctively treated portion of a column or pier below the shaft or shafts.
  2. the distinctively treated lowermost portion of any construction, as a monument, exterior wall, etc.

Botany, Zoology.

  1. the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment.
  2. the point of attachment.

the principal element or ingredient of anything, considered as its fundamental part: face cream with a lanolin base; paint with a lead base.

that from which a commencement, as of action or reckoning, is made; a starting point or point of departure.

the main supporters or fans of a political candidate, celebrity, company, etc.: Her proposed policies are calculated to appeal to her base.

Baseball.

  1. any of the four corners of the diamond, especially first, second, or third base.Compare home plate.
  2. a square canvas sack containing sawdust or some other light material, for marking first, second, or third base.

a starting line or point for runners, racing cars, etc.

(in hockey and other games) the goal.

Military.

  1. a fortified or more or less protected area or place from which the operations of an army or an air force proceed.
  2. a supply installation for a large military force.

Geometry. the line or surface forming the part of a figure that is most nearly horizontal or on which it is supposed to stand.

Mathematics.

  1. the number that serves as a starting point for a logarithmic or other numerical system.
  2. a collection of subsets of a topological space having the property that every open set in the given topology can be written as the union of sets of the collection.
  3. a collection of neighborhoods of a point such that every neighborhood of the point contains one from the collection.
  4. a collection of sets of a given filter such that every set in the filter is contained in some set in the collection.

Painting.

  1. vehicle (def. 10).
  2. Also called carrier . inert matter, used in the preparation of lakes, onto which a coloring compound is precipitated.

Photography. a thin, flexible layer of cellulose triacetate or similar material that holds the light-sensitive film emulsion and other coatings, especially on motion-picture film.

Chemistry.

  1. a compound that reacts with an acid to form a salt, as ammonia, calcium hydroxide, or certain nitrogen-containing organic compounds.
  2. the hydroxide of a metal or of an electropositive element or group.
  3. a group or molecule that takes up or accepts protons.
  4. a molecule or ion containing an atom with a free pair of electrons that can be donated to an acid; an electron-pair donor.
  5. any of the purine and pyrimidine compounds found in nucleic acids: the purines adenine and guanine and the pyrimidines cytosine, thymine, and uracil.

Grammar. the part of a complex word, consisting of one or more morphemes, to which derivational or inflectional affixes may be added, as want in unwanted or biolog- in biological.Compare root1 (def. 12), stem1 (def. 16).

Linguistics. the component of a generative grammar containing the lexicon and phrase-structure rules that generate the deep structure of sentences.

Electronics.

  1. an electrode or terminal on a transistor other than the emitter or collector electrodes or terminals.
  2. the part of an incandescent lamp or electron tube that includes the terminals for making electrical connection to a circuit or power supply.

Stock Exchange. the level at which a security ceases a decline in price.

Heraldry. the lower part of an escutcheon.

bases, Armor. a tonlet formed of two shaped steel plates assembled side by side.

in base, Heraldry. in the lower part of an escutcheon.

adjective

serving as or forming a base: The walls will need a base coat and two finishing coats.

verb (used with object), based, bas·ing.

to make or form a base or foundation for.

to establish, as a fact or conclusion (usually followed by on or upon): He based his assumption of her guilt on the fact that she had no alibi.

to place or establish on a base or basis; ground; found (usually followed by on or upon): Our plan is based on a rising economy.

to station, place, or situate (usually followed by at or on): He is based at Fort Benning. The squadron is based on a carrier.

verb (used without object), based, bas·ing.

to have a basis; be based (usually followed by on or upon): Fluctuating prices usually base on a fickle public’s demand.

to have or maintain a base: I believe they had based on Greenland at one time.

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Idioms about base

    off base,

    1. Baseball. not touching a base: The pitcher caught him off base and, after a quick throw, he was put out by the second baseman.
    2. Informal. badly mistaken: The police were way off base when they tried to accuse her of the theft.

    on base, Baseball. having reached a base or bases: Two men are on base.

Origin of base

1

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English noun base, bas, bace, from Old French base, basse, from Latin basis basis

synonym study for base

1. Base, basis, foundation refer to anything upon which a structure is built and upon which it rests. Base usually refers to a literal supporting structure: the base of a statue. Basis more often refers to a figurative support: the basis of a report. Foundation implies a solid, secure understructure: the foundation of a skyscraper or a rumor.

Words nearby base

basanite, bas bleu, B.A.Sc., bascinet, bascule, base, baseball, baseball cap, baseballer, baseball glove, baseband

Other definitions for base (2 of 2)


adjective, bas·er, bas·est.

of little or no value; worthless: hastily composed of base materials.

debased or counterfeit: an attempt to eliminate the base coinage.

characteristic of or befitting an inferior person or thing.

of illegitimate birth.

not classical or refined: base language.

Old English Law. held by tenure less than freehold in return for a service viewed as somewhat demeaning to the tenant.

Archaic.

  1. of humble origin or station.
  2. of small height.
  3. low in place, position, or degree: base servitude.

Obsolete. deep or grave in sound; bass: the base tones of a piano.

noun

Origin of base

2

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English bas, from Old French, from Late Latin bassus “low, short,” perhaps of Oscan origin

synonym study for base

OTHER WORDS FROM base

base·ly, adverbbase·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to base

paltry, ground, infrastructure, support, foundation, source, camp, center, depot, field, garrison, home, port, post, settlement, site, station, terminal, depend, establish

How to use base in a sentence

  • It is based on the interaction between the sender and the receiver.

  • Our country is based on that, and I think it’s going to happen pretty quickly.

  • Ever since, though, he had completed fewer passes than we’d expect based on the characteristics of the throws he attempted — until now.

  • Especially on the coronavirus, he is playing to his base above all else.

  • She got 35 percent of the vote after spending less than $200,000, revealing that there was a base for left-wing politics in a state politically dominated by moderate suburbanites.

  • Paperback publishers distributed their titles in African-American neighborhoods because it expanded their market base.

  • If ISIS “came into a base and killed hundreds of troops, then people would ask a lot more questions.”

  • Huckabee will also need to establish a reliable fundraising base, something that up until now has proved to be elusive.

  • Both are considered marginal figures in the House GOP caucus and have no real base of support for their respective bids.

  • In the weeks following the Sept. 9, car bombing at the Iranian base, Iran raided a village in the Pakistani district of Chagai.

  • The upper part of the stem is usually unbranched, but whorls of branches occur towards the base.

  • It is a vile world because it is an under-educated world, unreasonable, suspicious, base and ferocious.

  • In ordinary work, however, it is safer to base the distinction upon size than upon structure.

  • If he married that base-born creature Dorothy, no respectable person would ever enter the house.

  • There might be in the school boys base enough to charge that he lacked spirit in his attitude of armed neutrality.

British Dictionary definitions for base (1 of 2)


noun

the bottom or supporting part of anything

the fundamental or underlying principle or part, as of an idea, system, or organization; basis

  1. a centre of operations, organization, or supplythe climbers made a base at 8000 feet
  2. (as modifier)base camp

a centre from which military activities are coordinated

anything from which a process, as of measurement, action, or thought, is or may be begun; starting pointthe new discovery became the base for further research

the main ingredient of a mixtureto use rice as a base in cookery

a chemical compound that combines with an acid to form a salt and water. A solution of a base in water turns litmus paper blue, produces hydroxyl ions, and has a pH greater than 7. Bases are metal oxides or hydroxides or aminesSee also Lewis base

biochem any of the nitrogen-containing constituents of nucleic acids: adenine, thymine (in DNA), uracil (in RNA), guanine, or cytosine

a medium such as oil or water in which the pigment is dispersed in paints, inks, etc; vehicle

the inorganic material on which the dye is absorbed in lake pigments; carrier

biology

  1. the part of an organ nearest to its point of attachment
  2. the point of attachment of an organ or part

the bottommost layer or part of anything

architect

  1. the lowest division of a building or structure
  2. the lower part of a column or pier

the lower side or face of a geometric construction

maths

  1. the number of distinct single-digit numbers in a counting system, and so the number represented as 10 in a place-value systemthe binary system has two digits, 0 and 1, and 10 to base two represents 2 See place-value
  2. (of a logarithm or exponential) the number whose powers are expressedsince 1000 = 10³, the logarithm of 1000 to base 10 is 3
  3. (of a mathematical structure) a substructure from which the given system can be generated
  4. the initial instance from which a generalization is proven by mathematical induction

Also called: base clause logic maths the initial element of a recursive definition, that defines the first element of the infinite sequence generated thereby

electronics the region in a transistor between the emitter and collector

photog the glass, paper, or cellulose-ester film that supports the sensitized emulsion with which it is coated

heraldry the lower part of the shield

jewellery the quality factor used in pricing natural pearls

a starting or finishing point in any of various games

baseball any of the four corners of the diamond, which runners have to reach in order to score

the main source of a certain commodity or elementa customer base; their fan base

get to first base US and Canadian informal to accomplish the first stage in a project or a series of objectives

off base US and Canadian informal wrong or badly mistaken

touch base to make contact

verb

(tr foll by on or upon) to use as a basis (for); found (on)your criticisms are based on ignorance

(often foll by at or in) to station, post, or place (a person or oneself)

Word Origin for base

C14: from Old French, from Latin basis pedestal; see basis

British Dictionary definitions for base (2 of 2)


adjective

devoid of honour or morality; ignoble; contemptible

of inferior quality or value

debased; alloyed; counterfeitbase currency

English history

  1. (of land tenure) held by villein or other ignoble service
  2. holding land by villein or other ignoble service

archaic born of humble parents; plebeian

adjective, noun

music an obsolete spelling of bass 1

Derived forms of base

basely, adverbbaseness, noun

Word Origin for base

C14: from Old French bas, from Late Latin bassus of low height, perhaps from Greek bassōn deeper

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for base


Chemistry

  1. Any of a class of compounds that form hydroxyl ions (OH) when dissolved in water, and whose aqueous solutions react with acids to form salts. Bases turn red litmus paper blue and have a pH greater than 7. Their aqueous solutions have a bitter taste. Compare acid.
  2. See nitrogen base.

Mathematics

  1. The side or face of a geometric figure to which an altitude is or is thought to be drawn. The base can be, but is not always, the bottom part of the figure.
  2. The number that is raised to various powers to generate the principal counting units of a number system. The base of the decimal system, for example, is 10.
  3. The number that is raised to a particular power in a given mathematical expression. In the expression an, a is the base.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for base


Any of a number of bitter-tasting, caustic materials. Technically, a material that produces negative ions in solution. A base is the opposite of an acid and has a pH of 7 to 14. A given amount of a base added to the same amount of an acid neutralizes the acid; water and a salt are produced. Alkalis are bases; ammonia is a common base.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with base


see get to first base; off base; touch base.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Princeton’s WordNetRate this definition:1.5 / 4 votes

  1. base, base of operationsnoun

    installation from which a military force initiates operations

    «the attack wiped out our forward bases»

  2. foundation, base, fundament, foot, groundwork, substructure, understructurenoun

    lowest support of a structure

    «it was built on a base of solid rock»; «he stood at the foot of the tower»

  3. base, bagnoun

    a place that the runner must touch before scoring

    «he scrambled to get back to the bag»

  4. basenoun

    the bottom or lowest part

    «the base of the mountain»

  5. basenoun

    (anatomy) the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment

    «the base of the skull»

  6. floor, basenoun

    a lower limit

    «the government established a wage floor»

  7. basis, base, foundation, fundament, groundwork, cornerstonenoun

    the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

    «the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture»

  8. base, pedestal, standnoun

    a support or foundation

    «the base of the lamp»

  9. nucleotide, basenoun

    a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside; the basic structural unit of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA)

  10. base, alkalinoun

    any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water

    «bases include oxides and hydroxides of metals and ammonia»

  11. basenoun

    the bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructed

    «the base of the triangle»

  12. basis, basenoun

    the most important or necessary part of something

    «the basis of this drink is orange juice»

  13. base, radixnoun

    (numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place

    «10 is the radix of the decimal system»

  14. base, homenoun

    the place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end

  15. al-Qaeda, Qaeda, al-Qa’ida, al-Qaida, Basenoun

    a terrorist network intensely opposed to the United States that dispenses money and logistical support and training to a wide variety of radical Islamic terrorist groups; has cells in more than 50 countries

  16. root, root word, base, stem, theme, radicalnoun

    (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed

    «thematic vowels are part of the stem»

  17. infrastructure, basenoun

    the stock of basic facilities and capital equipment needed for the functioning of a country or area

    «the industrial base of Japan»

  18. basenoun

    the principal ingredient of a mixture

    «glycerinated gelatin is used as a base for many ointments»; «he told the painter that he wanted a yellow base with just a hint of green»; «everything she cooked seemed to have rice as the base»

  19. basenoun

    a flat bottom on which something is intended to sit

    «a tub should sit on its own base»

  20. baseadjective

    (electronics) the part of a transistor that separates the emitter from the collector

  21. basal, baseadjective

    serving as or forming a base

    «the painter applied a base coat followed by two finishing coats»

  22. base, baseborn, humble, lowlyadjective

    of low birth or station (`base’ is archaic in this sense)

    «baseborn wretches with dirty faces»; «of humble (or lowly) birth»

  23. baseadjective

    (used of metals) consisting of or alloyed with inferior metal

    «base coins of aluminum»; «a base metal»

  24. base, immoraladjective

    not adhering to ethical or moral principles

    «base and unpatriotic motives»; «a base, degrading way of life»; «cheating is dishonorable»; «they considered colonialism immoral»; «unethical practices in handling public funds»

  25. base, mean, meanspiritedadjective

    having or showing an ignoble lack of honor or morality

    «that liberal obedience without which your army would be a base rabble»- Edmund Burke; «taking a mean advantage»; «chok’d with ambition of the meaner sort»- Shakespeare; «something essentially vulgar and meanspirited in politics»

  26. base, basebornadjective

    illegitimate

  27. baseverb

    debased; not genuine

    «an attempt to eliminate the base coinage»

  28. establish, base, ground, foundverb

    use as a basis for; found on

    «base a claim on some observation»

  29. baseverb

    situate as a center of operations

    «we will base this project in the new lab»

  30. free-base, baseverb

    use (purified cocaine) by burning it and inhaling the fumes

Samuel Johnson’s DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. BASEadjective

    Etymology: bas, Fr. basso, Ital. baxo, Span. bassus, low Latin; βάσις.

    1. Mean; vile; worthless.

    The harvest white plumb is a base plumb, and the white date plumb are no very good plumbs.
    Francis Bacon, Natural Hist.

    Pyreicus was only famous for counterfeiting all base things, as earthen pitchers, a scullery; whereupon he was surnamed Rupographus.
    Henry Peacham.

    2. Of mean spirit; disingenuous; illiberal; ungenerous; low; without dignity of sentiment.

    Since the perfections are such in the party I love, as the feeling of them cannot come unto any unnoble heart; shall that heart, lifted up to such a height, be counted base?
    Philip Sidney.

    It is base in his adversaries thus to dwell upon the excesses of a passion.
    Francis Atterbury.

    I might be base enough to suspect, that you acted like some philosopher, who writ much better upon virtue than he practised it.
    Jonathan Swift.

    3. Of low station; of mean account; without dignity of rank; without honour.

    If the lords and chief men degenerate, what shall be hoped of the peasants and baser people?
    Edmund Spenser, on Ireland.

    If that rebellion
    Came like itself, in base and abject routs,
    You reverend father, and these noble lords,
    Had not been here.
    William Shakespeare, Henry IV. p. ii.

    It could not else be, I should prove so base,
    To sue and be denied such common grace.
    William Shakespeare, Timon.

    And I will yet be more vile than this, and will be base in mine own sight.
    2 Sam. vi. 22.

    Insurrections of base people are commonly more furious in their beginnings.
    Francis Bacon, Henry VII.

    He whose mind
    Is virtuous, is alone of noble kind;
    Though poor in fortune, of celestial race,
    And he commits the crime who calls him base.
    Dryden.

    4. Base-born; born out of wedlock, and by consequence of no honourable birth.

    Why bastard? wherefore base?
    When my dimensions are as well compact
    As honest madam’s issue.
    William Shakespeare, King Lear.

    This young lord lost his life with his father in the field, and with them a base son.
    William Camden, Remains.

    5. Applied to metals: without value; it is used in this sense of all metal except gold and silver.

    A guinea is pure gold, if it has nothing but gold in it, without any alloy or baser metal.
    Isaac Watts, Logick.

    6. Applied to sounds, deep; grave. It is more frequently written bass, though the comparative baser seems to require base.

    In pipes, the lower the note holes be, and the further from the mouth of the pipe, the more base sound they yield.
    Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 178.

  2. Basenoun

    Etymology: bas, Fr. basis, Lat.

    1. The bottom of any thing; commonly used for the lower part of a building, or column.

    What if it tempt thee tow’rd the flood, my lord?
    Or to the dreadful summit of the cliff,
    That beetles o’er his base into the sea.
    William Shakespeare, Hamlet.

    Firm Dorick pillars found your solid base;
    The fair Corinthian crowns the higher space.
    Dryden.

    Columns of polish’d marble firmly set
    On golden bases, are his legs and feet.
    Matthew Prior.

    2. The pedestal of a statue.

    Men of weak abilities in great place, are like little statues set on great bases, made the less by their advancement.
    Francis Bacon.

    Mercury was patron of flocks, and the ancients placed a ram at the base of his images.
    , Notes on the Odyssey.

    3. That part of any ornament which hangs down, as housings.

    Phalantus was all in white, having his bases and caparison embroidered.
    Philip Sidney.

    4. The broad part of any body; as the bottom of a cone.5. Stockings, or perhaps the armour for the legs, from bas, Fr.

    Nor shall it e’er be said that wight,
    With gauntlet blue and bases white,
    And round blunt truncheon by his side,
    So great a man at arms defy’d.
    Hudibras.

    6. The place from which racers or tilters run; the bottom of the field.

    He said; to their appointed base they went;
    With beating heart th’ expecting sign receive,
    And, starting all at once, the barrier leave.
    John Dryden, Virg.

    7. The string that gives a base sound.

    At thy well sharpen’d thumb, from shore to shore,
    The trebles squeak for fear, the bases roar.
    John Dryden, Mackfl.

    8. An old rustick play; written by Stephen Skinner, bays.

    He with two striplings (lads, more like to run
    The country base, than to commit such slaughter)
    Made good the passage.
    William Shakespeare, Cymbeline.

  3. To Baseverb

    To embase; to make less valuable by admixture of meaner metals.

    Etymology: basier, Fr.

    I am doubtful whether men have sufficiently refined metals, which we cannot base; as, whether iron, brass, and tin be refined to the height?
    Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 849.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

  1. Baseadjective

    of little, or less than the usual, height; of low growth; as, base shrubs

  2. Baseadjective

    low in place or position

  3. Baseadjective

    of humble birth; or low degree; lowly; mean

  4. Baseadjective

    illegitimate by birth; bastard

  5. Baseadjective

    of little comparative value, as metal inferior to gold and silver, the precious metals

  6. Baseadjective

    alloyed with inferior metal; debased; as, base coin; base bullion

  7. Baseadjective

    morally low. Hence: Low-minded; unworthy; without dignity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations

  8. Baseadjective

    not classical or correct

  9. Baseadjective

    deep or grave in sound; as, the base tone of a violin

  10. Baseadjective

    not held by honorable service; as, a base estate, one held by services not honorable; held by villenage. Such a tenure is called base, or low, and the tenant, a base tenant

  11. Basenoun

    the bottom of anything, considered as its support, or that on which something rests for support; the foundation; as, the base of a statue

  12. Basenoun

    fig.: The fundamental or essential part of a thing; the essential principle; a groundwork

  13. Basenoun

    the lower part of a wall, pier, or column, when treated as a separate feature, usually in projection, or especially ornamented

  14. Basenoun

    the lower part of a complete architectural design, as of a monument; also, the lower part of any elaborate piece of furniture or decoration

  15. Basenoun

    that extremity of a leaf, fruit, etc., at which it is attached to its support

  16. Basenoun

    the positive, or non-acid component of a salt; a substance which, combined with an acid, neutralizes the latter and forms a salt; — applied also to the hydroxides of the positive elements or radicals, and to certain organic bodies resembling them in their property of forming salts with acids

  17. Basenoun

    the chief ingredient in a compound

  18. Basenoun

    a substance used as a mordant

  19. Basenoun

    the exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which connects the salient angles of two adjacent bastions

  20. Basenoun

    the line or surface constituting that part of a figure on which it is supposed to stand

  21. Basenoun

    the number from which a mathematical table is constructed; as, the base of a system of logarithms

  22. Basenoun

    a low, or deep, sound. (Mus.) (a) The lowest part; the deepest male voice. (b) One who sings, or the instrument which plays, base

  23. Basenoun

    a place or tract of country, protected by fortifications, or by natural advantages, from which the operations of an army proceed, forward movements are made, supplies are furnished, etc

  24. Basenoun

    the smallest kind of cannon

  25. Basenoun

    that part of an organ by which it is attached to another more central organ

  26. Basenoun

    the basal plane of a crystal

  27. Basenoun

    the ground mass of a rock, especially if not distinctly crystalline

  28. Basenoun

    the lower part of the field. See Escutcheon

  29. Basenoun

    the housing of a horse

  30. Basenoun

    a kind of skirt ( often of velvet or brocade, but sometimes of mailed armor) which hung from the middle to about the knees, or lower

  31. Basenoun

    the lower part of a robe or petticoat

  32. Basenoun

    an apron

  33. Basenoun

    the point or line from which a start is made; a starting place or a goal in various games

  34. Basenoun

    a line in a survey which, being accurately determined in length and position, serves as the origin from which to compute the distances and positions of any points or objects connected with it by a system of triangles

  35. Basenoun

    a rustic play; — called also prisoner’s base, prison base, or bars

  36. Basenoun

    any one of the four bounds which mark the circuit of the infield

  37. Basenoun

    to put on a base or basis; to lay the foundation of; to found, as an argument or conclusion; — used with on or upon

  38. Baseadjective

    to abase; to let, or cast, down; to lower

  39. Baseadjective

    to reduce the value of; to debase

FreebaseRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

  1. Base

    A base in chemistry is a substance that can accept hydrogen cations or, more generally, donate a pair of valence electrons. A soluble base is called an alkali if it contains and releases hydroxide ions quantitatively. The Brønsted-Lowry theory defines bases as proton acceptors, while the more general Lewis theory defines bases as electron pair donors, including Lewis acids other than protons. The oldest Arrhenius theory defines bases as hydroxide anions, which is strictly applicable only to alkali. In water, by altering the autoionization equilibrium, bases give solutions with a hydrogen ion activity lower than that of pure water, i.e., a pH higher than 7.0 at standard conditions. Examples of common bases are sodium hydroxide and ammonia. Metal oxides, hydroxides and especially alkoxides are basic, and counteranions of weak acids are weak bases.
    Bases can be thought of as the chemical opposite of acids. A reaction between an acid and base is called neutralization. Bases and acids are seen as opposites because the effect of an acid is to increase the hydronium ion concentration in water, whereas bases reduce this concentration. Bases and acids are typically found in aqueous solution forms. Aqueous solutions of bases react with aqueous solutions of acids to produce water and salts in aqueous solutions in which the salts separate into their component ions. If the aqueous solution is saturated with a given salt solute, any additional such salt precipitates out of the solution.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. Base

    bās, n. that on which a thing rests: foot: bottom: foundation: support: the chief ingredient, as in dyeing and chemistry: the starting-point, in a race: the fixed goal across which the ball is struck in hockey, the fixed stations at base-ball: the point from which the operations of a campaign are conducted: a measured line serving as a basis for trigonometrical calculations: the surface on which a plane or solid figure stands: (chem.) a term applied to a compound body, generally consisting of a metal united with oxygen; (archit.) the foot or lower member of a pillar, on which the shaft rests: (her.) the lower portion of the shield—any figure placed on it is said to be ‘in base:’ a small portion of the base of a shield parted off by a horizontal line is sometimes called a base.—v.t. to found or place on a base:—pr.p. bās′ing; pa.p. based (bāst).—adjs. Bas′al, Bas′ilar, pertaining to or situated at the base, esp. of the skull; Base′less, without a base or foundation.—ns. Base′lessness; Base′ment, the base or lowest story of a building.—adj. Bas′en-wide (Spens.), widely extended.—n. Base′-plate, the foundation plate of a piece of heavy machinery.—n.pl. Bas′es, a kind of embroidered mantle which hung down from the middle to about the knees or lower, worn by knights on horseback: (Spens.) armour for the legs.—ns. Base′-string, the string of a musical instrument that gives the lowest note; Base′-vīol (same as Bass-viol).—adj. Bas′ic (chem.), belonging to or of the nature of a base.—v.t. Bas′ify (chem.), to convert into a salifiable base:—pr.p. bās′ifying; pa.p. bās′ifīed. [Fr.—L.—Gr. basisba-, in bainein, to go.]

  2. Base

    bās, adj. low in place, value, estimation, or principle: mean: vile: worthless: debased: counterfeit: (law) servile, as opposed to free: humble: (B. and Shak.) lowly.—adj. Base′-born, illegitimate.—adv. Base′ly.—adj. Base′-mind′ed, of a low mind or spirit: mean.—n. Base′ness.—adj. Base′-spir′ited, mean-spirited. [Fr. bas—Low L. bassus, thick, fat, a vulgar Roman word, found also in name Bassus.]

  3. Base

    bās, v.t. a form of Abase.

  4. Base

    bās, n. an old game played by two sides occupying contiguous spaces, called bases or homes, off which any player is liable to be touched with the hand or struck by a ball by the enemy, and so attached to their sides. Forms of this game are known as Prisoner’s Base or Bars, and Rounders, and the national American game of Base-ball is a development from it.

Dictionary of Military and Associated TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. base

    1. A locality from which operations are projected or supported. 2. An area or locality containing installations which provide logistic or other support. See also establishment. 3. Home airfield or home carrier. See also base of operations; facility.

Dictionary of Nautical TermsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. base

    The breech of a gun. Also, the lowest part of the perimeter of a
    geometrical figure. When applied to a delta it is that edge of it which
    is washed by the sea, or recipient of the deltic branches. Also, the
    lowest part of a mountain or chain of mountains. Also, the level line on
    which any work stands, as the foot of a pillar. Also, an old boat-gun; a
    wall-piece on the musketoon principle, carrying a five-ounce ball.

Military Dictionary and GazetteerRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. base

    In fortifications, is the exterior side of the polygon, or that imaginary line which connects the salient angle of two adjacent bastions.

  2. base

    In heraldry, denotes the lower part of the shield.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. BASE

    What does BASE stand for? — Explore the various meanings for the BASE acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

  2. Base

    Base vs. Bass — In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Base and Bass.

  3. Base

    Base vs. Baseball — In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Base and Baseball.

EntomologyRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. Base

    that part of any appendage that is nearest the body: on the thorax that portion nearest the abdomen; on the abdomen that portion nearest the thorax.

Surnames Frequency by Census RecordsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

  1. BASE

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Base is ranked #33894 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

    The Base surname appeared 671 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Base.

    85.5% or 574 total occurrences were White.
    5.3% or 36 total occurrences were Black.
    4.9% or 33 total occurrences were Asian.
    2.2% or 15 total occurrences were of two or more races.
    1.9% or 13 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.

Matched Categories

    • Anatomy
    • Baseball Equipment
    • Bottom
    • Compound
    • Control
    • Ester
    • Flank
    • Form
    • Ingredient
    • Linguistics
    • Location
    • Military
    • Military Installation
    • Number
    • Numeration System
    • Part
    • Situate
    • Store
    • Support
    • Terrorism
    • Terrorist Organization

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word ‘base’ in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1174

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word ‘base’ in Written Corpus Frequency: #1569

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word ‘base’ in Nouns Frequency: #549

  4. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word ‘base’ in Verbs Frequency: #115

How to pronounce base?

How to say base in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of base in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of base in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of base in a Sentence

  1. Matthew Shilvock:

    What the pandemic has told us and is still telling us, it’s time for music and musicians to move into the digital world, the final goal is engaging the fan base in a completely new way.

  2. Ralph Winnie:

    Iowa is important. It’s Trump country. It’s the farm base, the people are warm and hardworking, so they will be wonderful hosts and that’s always key. When you go to China, you’re treated as an honored guest, the Chinese will expect to be treated the same way when they come.

  3. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga:

    It is a common concern of the international community that China tries to change the situation and increase tensions in the South China Sea by carrying out extensive and rapid land reclamation, building its base in the region and utilizing it for military purposes, we have deep concerns over such actions and want to re-emphasize that Japan cannot accept it.

  4. Chris Mutascio:

    Given the size and breadth of their consumer and commercial client base.

  5. John Evans:

    The guys clueless, and I know hes just trying to appease hisleft-wing base but its a really foolish statement.

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Translations for base

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • basisAfrikaans
  • قاعدة, مركز, أساس, فاسق, شائع, منخفض, يستند إلى, يبنى على, دنيءArabic
  • основа, база, фундамент, старт, долнокачествен, основавам се, подъл, неблагороден, неморален, низък, базирам сеBulgarian
  • seu, base, principi, fonament, caserna, basament, innoble, baix, indigne, vil, basar, immoral, abjecte, vulgarCatalan, Valencian
  • základ, báze, patka, pikola, zásada, meta, kořen, základnaCzech
  • Base, Basis, Grundlage, Kaserne, basierenGerman
  • βάση, θεμέλιο, μάνα, έδρα, αγενής, βασίζω, ταπεινός, ποταπός, ευτελής, εδρεύωGreek
  • baziEsperanto
  • base, sede, bajo, basarSpanish
  • aste, alus, baas, alguspunkt, põhi, kodu, peakorter, lähtumaEstonian
  • پایه, اساس, پایگاه, پایَه, ستاد, بُنیاد, مبنا, پِی, بُن, قاعده, باز, ریشه, شالودَه, پایه‌گذاری, پَست, پی‌ریزی, هرزَه, بنیانگذاریPersian
  • alkupiste, kanta, pohja, pesä, emäs, tukikohta, päämaja, kantaluku, perusta, perustus, koti, ala-arvoinen, moraaliton, perustaa, sijaita, matala, säädytön, yleinenFinnish
  • but, base, caserne, coussin, bas, ignoble, indigne, abject, baserFrench
  • neamhlómharIrish
  • base, sede, basearGalician
  • bun-ynnyd, neuchostalManx
  • בסיס, נקודת מוצא, ירודHebrew
  • bazeHaitian Creole
  • bázis, támaszpont, lábazat, alapHungarian
  • հիմք, բազա, ստոր, հիմնվել, ցածրArmenian
  • basarInterlingua
  • bazo, kazerno, apogarIdo
  • veldisstofn, stikkfrí, bækistöðvar, höfuðstöðvar, herstöð, grunnflöturIcelandic
  • base, caserma, basi, sedeItalian
  • 基, 基礎, 司令部Japanese
  • საფუძველიGeorgian
  • базис, таянуу, база, негиз салуу, таман, цоколь, негиздөө, түп, негизделүү, фундамент, байыр, негиз, себеп, жайлашууKyrgyz
  • solumLatin
  • netikumīgs, zemisks, zems, netikumisks, nekrietns, prastsLatvian
  • papa taunga, take, taketakeMāori
  • base, basis, kazerne, vertrekpunt, honk, hoofdkwartier, baserenDutch
  • frie, hovedkvarter, baseNorwegian
  • podstawa, zasada, bazaPolish
  • base, pique, sede, ficar em, basear-se emPortuguese
  • bază, cazarmă, fundamentRomanian
  • основание, базис, база, основа, старт, штаб-квартира, опорный пункт, фундамент, штабRussian
  • baza, osnova, lužina, temeljSerbo-Croatian
  • baza, osnovnica, oporišče, temeljSlovene
  • bas, kasern, början, grund, grunda, oädel, basera, uselSwedish
  • క్షారం, స్థావరం, భూమి, పీఠంTelugu
  • üs, temel, baz, merkez, taban, karargâh, kaideTurkish
  • bazơVietnamese
  • bäd, stabönVolapük

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