Illustration of base
- 1 upper torus
- 2 scotia
- 3 lower torus
- 4 plinth
- 5 shaft
- 6 fillets
base
1 of 4noun
ˈbās 
plural bases ˈbā-səz
1
a
: the bottom of something considered as its support : foundation
the base of the mountain
the lamp's heavy base
b
biology : that part of a bodily organ by which it is attached to another more central structure of the organism
the base of the thumb
c architecture
(1)
: the lower part of a wall, pier, or column considered as a separate architectural feature
(2)
: the lower part of a complete architectural design (as of a monument)
d mathematics
(1)
: a side or face (see face entry 1 sense 5a(5)) of a geometrical figure from which an altitude (see altitude sense 1c(1)) can be constructed
especially : a side or face on which the figure stands
the base of a triangle
(2)
: the length of a base
determining the triangle's base
2
a
: a main ingredient
paint having a latex base
b
: a supporting or carrying ingredient (as of a medicine)
c
: a first or bottom layer of something on which other elements are added
Overnight, Utah's famous snow has freshly blanketed both runs, adding to a solid base of three feet …
Abby Carroll
Abby Carroll3
a
: the fundamental part of something : groundwork, basis
the book's theoretical base
her broad base of knowledge
b
: something (as a group of people) that reliably provides support (such as for a business or political candidate) —usually singular
efforts to expand their customer basethe band's fan baseBut I do believe that that's a very sore point with many Democrats and could be used to energize their base. John McCain
John McCain c
Marxism : the economic factors on which all legal, social, and political relations are formed
4
a
: the starting point or line for an action or undertaking
plans to make this city his base of operation J. A. Loftus
J. A. Loftus b
: a baseline in surveying
c
: a center or area of operations
The company has its base in London.
: such as (1)
: a permanent military installation
a naval base
The troops were ordered back to base.
(2)
: the place from which a military force draws supplies
(3)
: a place where military operations begin
d
linguistics : root sense 6
"Leave" is the base of the verb "left."
e mathematics
(1)
: a number (such as 5 in 56.44 or 57) that is raised to a power (see power entry 1 sense 5a)
especially : the number that when raised to a power equal to the logarithm of a number yields the number itself
The logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is 2 since 102 = 100.
(2)
: a number equal to the number of units in a given digit's place (see place entry 1 sense 8) that for a given system of writing numbers is required to give the numeral 1 in the next higher place
The decimal system uses a base of 10.
also : such a system of writing numbers using an indicated base
Convert from base 10 to base 2.
(3)
: a number that is multiplied by a rate or of which a percentage or fraction is calculated
To find the interest on $90 at 10 percent multiply the base 90 by .10.
5
a
: any one of the four stations at the corners of a baseball or softball infield
allowing the batter to reach base
b
in various games : the starting place or goal
c
: a point to be considered
His opening remarks touched every base.
6
chemistry
a
: any of various typically water-soluble and bitter tasting compounds that in solution have a pH greater than 7, are capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt, and are molecules or ions able to take up a proton from an acid or able to give up an unshared pair of electrons to an acid
b
: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil
7
finance : a price level at which a security (see security sense 3) previously declining in price resists further decline
8
heraldry : the lower part of a heraldic field (see field entry 1 sense 3c)
9
linguistics : the part of a transformational grammar that consists of rules and a lexicon and generates the deep structures of a language
10
: an electrode that modulates the current flowing through a bipolar junction transistor according to the voltage applied to the electrode
This gate, which is called a grid in a tube and a base in a transistor, enables a small "controlling" voltage to turn on and off a much larger voltage between the cathode and the anode. Thom Hartmann
compare gate entry 1 sense 5b Thom Hartmann baseless
ˈbā-sləs
adjective base
2 of 4verb
based; basing
transitive verb
1
: to find a foundation or basis for : to find a base (see base entry 1 sense 3a) for —usually used with on or upon
base an opinion on faulty informationa story based upon real-life events
2
: to make, form, or serve as a base for
… great roots based the tree columns … George Macdonald
George Macdonaldthe company is based in London
clients who are based out of their homes
base
3 of 4adjective (1)
1
a
: lacking or indicating the lack of higher qualities of mind or spirit : ignoble
seemed a base betrayal of idealism L. M. Sears
L. M. Searsappealing to a person's baser instincts
b
: lacking higher values : degrading
a drab base way of life
2
a
: being of comparatively low value and having relatively inferior properties (such as lack of resistance to corrosion)
a base metal such as iron
compare noble entry 1 b
: containing a larger than usual proportion of base metals
base silver denarii
3
feudalism
a
: resembling a villein : servile
a base tenant
b
: held by villenage
base tenure
4
archaic : of little height
… the cedar stoops not to the base shrub's foot … Shakespeare
Shakespeare5
archaic : baseborn
… base in kind and born to be a slave. William Cowper
William Cowper6
obsolete : low in place or position
… fall to the base earth from the firmament! Shakespeare
Shakespeare7
obsolete : bass
basely adverb
baseness noun
base
4 of 4adjective (2)
1
: constituting or serving as a base
This situation is frequently encountered by seaplane pilots in northern Canada who must fly over lakes and tundra to a base camp located on a river. Alan Lopez
Alan Lopez2
: of the simplest or most basic design or form : having the form of something before upgrades or customization
This GTO's 350-hp, 5.7-liter V8 is the same that's used in the base Corvette, and it produces the power and throaty exhaust sound of a classic muscle car. Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports Phrases
cover all the bases or less commonly cover every base or have (all) one's bases covered : to do or include everything that needs to be done or included : to fulfill all requirements or necessities
The well rounded menu covers all the bases—pork or duck breast and always a grilled chicken with complementary sauces and relishes … Caroline Bates
Caroline BatesIn other words, we need to cover every base. Too often, something is remembered at the last minute and we find ourselves waiting for the stores to open on sale day so we can purchase a much-needed item. Sue Story
Sue StoryIn your e-mail, let the company know that, for their convenience, you're e-mailing the resume and letter, but that the original documents will arrive by postal service. This way you've got all your bases covered. Peter Post
Peter Post1
: wrong, mistaken
Estimates were way off base.
2
: unawares
caught off base by the charges
1
: to mention every subject that needs to be considered
a speech that touches all the bases
2
: to do or include everything that needs to be done or included : to fulfill all requirements or necessities
need to touch all the bases when applying for a mortgage
The owner of the Utah Stars is in Salt Lake City, working 24 hours a day in an effort to touch every base to keep his club in Utah's capital city. Dan Pattison
Dan Pattison
Synonyms
Noun
- basis
- bedrock
- bottom
- cornerstone
- footing
- foundation
- ground
- groundwork
- keystone
- root
- underpinning
- warp
- warp and woof
Verb
- ground
- hang
- predicate
- rest
Adjective (1)
- contemptible
- currish
- despicable
- detestable
- dirty
- dishonorable
- execrable
- ignoble
- ignominious
- low
- low-down
- low-minded
- mean
- nasty
- paltry
- snide
- sordid
- vile
- wretched
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun their base obedience to every unprincipled action ordered by their leader the army's base of attack was kept top secret until the battle began Verb They are going to base their new company in Seattle. The company has based itself in London. Our tour group based itself in a hotel in the heart of the city. Adjective (1) Iron is a base metal. a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law See More
Recent Examples on the Web Jess Bravin, WSJ, 17 Sep. 2022 Giménez hustled down the line to reach base on Gordon’s miscue and went to third on pinch-hitter Miller’s single to right. Joe Noga, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 And while Austin Hays and Jorge Mateo reached base in the eighth, Baltimore didn’t capitalize. Henderson found a way to momentarily quell the noise inside Rogers Centre with two outs in the ninth inning, hitting a solo homer of his own. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 The new Sentosa is likely to be Palau Brani, a trapezoidal land mass and former Navy base between Singapore and Sentosa. Lilit Marcus, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 As for the white, French signature detail, her manicurist made sure to deeply follow the edge of her nail shape down to her fingertips, framing that V-shaped base. Chelsea Avila, Allure, 16 Sep. 2022 The base, officials noted, has previously housed and cared for displaced individuals, including Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Samantha J. Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Three straight Pittsburgh Pirates hitters reached base in those six pitches through two singles and a three-run homer. The Enquirer, 13 Sep. 2022 The first three batters of the game reached base against Young before Hunter Renfroe's grounder was booted by third baseman Evan Longoria, leading to two runs. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 19 Aug. 2022 Deep-lake basing is an interesting idea, partially recycled from a Cold War plot to base missiles in the Great Lakes. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2022 Muzikir’s public defender encouraged the judge to base his ruling on Muzikir’s nearly spotless prison record. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 19 June 2022 There’s a reason that Varsho didn’t have anyone to base his transition off. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2022 Pairing with training partners who know how to base well, or raise her up, is also paramount. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 5 May 2022 To help narrow down the options, here are seven tips to base your selection of a competent vendor for software consulting services. Thanh Pham, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2022 In addition to base Xbox One hardware exceeding WoW's minimum specs, Microsoft has had full keyboard-and-mouse support enabled for Xbox consoles for years, making the ecosystem a not-so-terrible fit for the popular MMO. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 19 Jan. 2022 Weeks after our arrival the previous year, Soviet attempts to base nuclear-capable missiles in Cuba had brought the world too close to nuclear war. Peter Bridges, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan. 2022 John Shea John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Sep. 2022 Friedl, known for his speed and defense, is 13-for-30 with six extra-base hits since rejoining the Reds a couple of weeks ago. The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2022 José Ramírez led Cleveland’s offense Saturday by collecting his 16th game with multiple extra-base hits. Joe Noga, cleveland, 28 Aug. 2022 The starting price is a very reasonable $41,769, but only fleet customers can spec the larger battery pack on the base trim level, so the you-and-me price for a big-battery truck leaps to $74,269. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 1 July 2022 Officials, residents, scientists, and companies all contributed to the Mumbai Climate Action Plan, which aims to cut emissions by 30% by 2030 and 44% by 2040, from a base level of 23.42 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2022 Fraud charges such as Ms. Holmes’s begin with a base offense level of seven. Christopher Weaver, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2022 All tequilas offer a base level of roasty vegetal notes, but blancos give a bright, sparkly sheen to cocktails, whereas reposados and anjeos add a layer of warmth and spice. John Debary, Bon Appétit, 4 June 2021 PMIs are diffusion indexes measuring month over month activity with a base level of 50. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021 See More
Noun
The Defense Department is moving ahead with a Donald Trump-era project, building a third courtroom at Guantanamo Bay at a cost of $4 million, even though no additional trials are expected at the naval base. Jess Bravin, WSJ, 17 Sep. 2022 Giménez hustled down the line to reach base on Gordon’s miscue and went to third on pinch-hitter Miller’s single to right. Joe Noga, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 And while Austin Hays and Jorge Mateo reached base in the eighth, Baltimore didn’t capitalize. Henderson found a way to momentarily quell the noise inside Rogers Centre with two outs in the ninth inning, hitting a solo homer of his own. Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2022 The new Sentosa is likely to be Palau Brani, a trapezoidal land mass and former Navy base between Singapore and Sentosa. Lilit Marcus, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 As for the white, French signature detail, her manicurist made sure to deeply follow the edge of her nail shape down to her fingertips, framing that V-shaped base. Chelsea Avila, Allure, 16 Sep. 2022 The base, officials noted, has previously housed and cared for displaced individuals, including Louisiana residents affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Samantha J. Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2022 Three straight Pittsburgh Pirates hitters reached base in those six pitches through two singles and a three-run homer. The Enquirer, 13 Sep. 2022 The first three batters of the game reached base against Young before Hunter Renfroe's grounder was booted by third baseman Evan Longoria, leading to two runs. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Verb
Jonker instructed the jury to base its decision only on facts involving Fox and Croft. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 19 Aug. 2022 Deep-lake basing is an interesting idea, partially recycled from a Cold War plot to base missiles in the Great Lakes. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 15 July 2022 Muzikir’s public defender encouraged the judge to base his ruling on Muzikir’s nearly spotless prison record. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 19 June 2022 There’s a reason that Varsho didn’t have anyone to base his transition off. Theo Mackie, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2022 Pairing with training partners who know how to base well, or raise her up, is also paramount. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 5 May 2022 To help narrow down the options, here are seven tips to base your selection of a competent vendor for software consulting services. Thanh Pham, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2022 In addition to base Xbox One hardware exceeding WoW's minimum specs, Microsoft has had full keyboard-and-mouse support enabled for Xbox consoles for years, making the ecosystem a not-so-terrible fit for the popular MMO. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 19 Jan. 2022 Weeks after our arrival the previous year, Soviet attempts to base nuclear-capable missiles in Cuba had brought the world too close to nuclear war. Peter Bridges, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan. 2022 Adjective
Flores leads the Giants in games, runs, doubles, RBIs, hits and extra-base hits and is second in homers. John Shea John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 4 Sep. 2022 Friedl, known for his speed and defense, is 13-for-30 with six extra-base hits since rejoining the Reds a couple of weeks ago. The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2022 José Ramírez led Cleveland’s offense Saturday by collecting his 16th game with multiple extra-base hits. Joe Noga, cleveland, 28 Aug. 2022 The starting price is a very reasonable $41,769, but only fleet customers can spec the larger battery pack on the base trim level, so the you-and-me price for a big-battery truck leaps to $74,269. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 1 July 2022 Officials, residents, scientists, and companies all contributed to the Mumbai Climate Action Plan, which aims to cut emissions by 30% by 2030 and 44% by 2040, from a base level of 23.42 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019. Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 May 2022 Fraud charges such as Ms. Holmes’s begin with a base offense level of seven. Christopher Weaver, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2022 All tequilas offer a base level of roasty vegetal notes, but blancos give a bright, sparkly sheen to cocktails, whereas reposados and anjeos add a layer of warmth and spice. John Debary, Bon Appétit, 4 June 2021 PMIs are diffusion indexes measuring month over month activity with a base level of 50. Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin basis, from Greek, step, base, from bainein to go — more at come
Verb
verbal derivative of base entry 1
Adjective (1)
Middle English bas, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin bassus fat, short, low
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c(1)
Verb
1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Adjective (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Adjective (2)
1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing base
Kids Definition
base 1 of 3
noun
ˈbās
1
: a thing or a part on which something rests : bottom, foundation
the base of a statue
the base of the mountain 2
: a starting place or goal in various games
3
: any of the four stations a runner in baseball must touch in order to score
4
: the main place or starting place of an action or operation
The company's base is in New York.
5
: a place where a military force keeps its supplies or from which it starts its operations
an air force base
6
: a line or surface of a geometric figure upon which an altitude is or is thought to be constructed
base of a triangle
7
: the main substance in a mixture
8
: a number with reference to which a system of numbers is constructed
9
: a chemical substance (as lime or ammonia) that reacts with an acid to form a salt and turns red litmus paper blue
base
2 of 3verb
based; basing
: to use as a main place of operation or action The company is based in Ohio.
base
3 of 3adjective
baser; basest
1
: of low value and not very good in some ways
base metals
2
: not honorable
"I'll appeal to his baser instincts, of which he has plenty." E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
E. B. White, Charlotte's Web Medical Definition
base
noun
ˈbās
plural bases ˈbā-səz
1
: that portion of a bodily organ or part by which it is attached to another more central structure of the organism
the base of the thumb
2
a
: the usually inactive ingredient of a preparation serving as the vehicle for the active medicinal preparation
the fatty base of an ointment
b
: the chief active ingredient of a preparation
called also basis
3
a
: any of various typically water-soluble and bitter tasting compounds that in solution have a pH greater than 7, are capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt, and are molecules or ions able to take up a proton from an acid or are substances able to give up an unshared pair of electrons to an acid compare alkali
b
: any of the five purine or pyrimidine bases of DNA and RNA that include cytosine, guanine, adenine, thymine, and uracil
4
: freebase
base 1 of 3
verb
as in to ground
to find a basis she based her argument on careful research Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ground
- predicate
- rest
- found
- hang
- establish
- premise
- presume
- postulate
- suppose
- presuppose
- assume
base
2 of 3noun
1
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests the firm belief that complete trust between partners is the base of any successful marriage Synonyms & Similar Words
- basis
- foundation
- bedrock
- cornerstone
- ground
- root
- core
- keystone
- underpinning
- support
- justification
- bottom
- premise
- footing
- framework
- center
- groundwork
- mount
- warp
- theory
- infrastructure
- buttress
- shore
- essence
- backbone
- focus
- warp and woof
- assumption
- stay
- prop
- substructure
- anchorage
- rationale
- heart
- bed
- bulwark
- kernel
- substratum
- nucleus
- seat
- hub
- brace
- presupposition
- presumption
- thesis
- warrant
- supposition
- premiss
- touchstone
- eye
- soul
- quintessence
2
as in center
a place from which an advance (as for military operations) is made the army's base of attack was kept top secret until the battle began Synonyms & Similar Words
- center
- camp
- foothold
- station
- fortress
- stronghold
- bridgehead
- headquarters
- field
- front
- installation
- bastion
- beachhead
- emplacement
- footing
- airbase
- staging area
- staging ground
- battlefront
- fastness
- toehold
3
as in capital
a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest the base of the industry is California's Silicon Valley Synonyms & Similar Words
- center
- capital
- hub
- core
- mecca
- seat
- nucleus
- focus
- central
- heart
- locus
- headquarters
- ground zero
- nexus
- axis
- playground
- navel
- nerve center
- epicenter
- where it's at
- eye
- omphalos
- hot spot
- cynosure
- thick
- hive
- attraction
- essence
- kernel
- magnet
- nub
- deep
- hotbed
- pith
- playland
- quintessence
- polestar
- soul
- lodestone
- happy hunting ground
- loadstone
4
as in bottom
the lowest part, place, or point the base of the mountain extends over a huge area make sure the base of the stove rests evenly on the floor Synonyms & Similar Words
- bottom
- foot
- foundation
- basis
- basement
- ground
- bedrock
- seat
- keystone
- bed
- rock bottom
- underpinning
- nadir
- groundwork
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- top
- head
- vertex
- peak
- height
- apex
- tip
- crest
- summit
- pinnacle
- zenith
- climax
- meridian
- culmination
- acme
- tip-top
5
as in headquarters
the place from which a commander runs operations the army base is three miles down the road Synonyms & Similar Words
- headquarters
- command
- home
- seat
- command post
base
3 of 3adjective
1
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency a base and sneaky act that is a clear violation of international law Synonyms & Similar Words
- vile
- dirty
- nasty
- low
- immoral
- corrupt
- ignoble
- vicious
- paltry
- bad
- mean
- detestable
- ignominious
- sordid
- cruel
- contemptible
- evil
- dishonorable
- execrable
- wrong
- snide
- wretched
- foul
- despicable
- currish
- low-down
- wicked
- low-minded
- degenerate
- villainous
- iniquitous
- debased
- miscreant
- perverted
- dissolute
- reprehensible
- depraved
- unworthy
- atrocious
- debauched
- censurable
- unprincipled
- unscrupulous
- blameworthy
- unethical
- blamable
- disgraceful
- disreputable
- shameful
- discreditable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- high
- straight
- lofty
- right
- upright
- proper
- noble
- venerable
- just
- moral
- good
- excellent
- ethical
- virtuous
- honorable
- honest
- decent
- exemplary
- righteous
- respectable
- scrupulous
- reputable
- commendable
- principled
- high-minded
- seemly
- blameless
- guiltless
- right-minded
- unerring
- irreproachable
- incorruptible
- uncorrupted
2
as in humble
showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness their base obedience to every unprincipled action ordered by their leader Synonyms & Similar Words
- humble
- abject
- servile
- meek
- menial
- slavish
- modest
- retiring
- hangdog
- lowly
- unassuming
- fawning
- sycophant
- sheepish
- sycophantic
- toadyish
- lamblike
- unpretentious
- demure
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- superior
- arrogant
- haughty
- uppity
- lordly
- supercilious
- imperious
- high-handed
Synonym Chooser
The words low and vile are common synonyms of base. While all three words mean "deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values," base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.
base motives
The meanings of low and base largely overlap; however, low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.
refused to listen to such low talk
In some situations, the words vile and base are roughly equivalent. However, vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.
a vile remark