- 1 [countable, usually singular] the lowest part of something, especially the part or surface on which it rests or stands the base of a column/glass a pain at the base of the spine The lamp has a heavy base. Synonymsbottombase foundation footThese are all words for the lowest part of something.bottom [usually sing.] the lowest part of something:Footnotes are given at the bottom of each page. I waited for them at the bottom of the hill.base [usually sing.] the lowest part of something, especially the part or surface on which it rests or stands:The lamp has a heavy base.foundation [usually pl.] a layer of bricks, concrete, etc. that forms the solid underground base of a building:to lay the foundations of the new schoolfoot [sing.] the lowest part of something:At the foot of the stairs she turned to face him.bottom or foot? Foot is used to talk about a limited number of things: it is used most often with tree, hill/mountain, steps/stairs and page. Bottom can be used to talk about a much wider range of things, including those mentioned above for foot. Foot is generally used in more literary contexts.Patterns at/near/towards the bottom/base/foot of something on the bottom/base of something (a) firm/solid/strong base/foundation(s) Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivefirm, solid, strong, … verb + basehave See full entry original idea/situation
- 2 [countable] an idea, a fact, a situation, etc. from which something is developed synonym basis She used her family's history as a base for her novel. His arguments have a sound economic base. Synonymsbasisfoundation baseThese are all words for the ideas or facts that something is based on.basis [usually sing.] a principle, an idea or a fact that supports something and that it can develop from:This article will form the basis for our discussion.foundation [C, U] a principle, an idea or a fact that supports something and that it develops from:Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage. The rumour is totally without foundation (= is not based on any facts).basis or foundation?Foundation is often used to talk about larger or more important things than basis:He laid the foundations of Japan’s modern economy. These figures formed the basis of their pay claim.base [usually sing.] an idea, a fact or a situation from which something is developed:His arguments have a sound economic base.Patterns a/the basis/foundation/base for/of something a secure/solid/sound/strong/weak basis/foundation/base to form the basis/foundation/base of something to be without basis/foundation Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivefirm, secure, solid, … verb + baseform, have, establish, … prepositionbase for See full entry of support/income/power
- 3[countable, usually singular] the people, activity, etc. from which somebody/something gets most of their support, income, power, etc. These policies have a broad base of support. an economy with a solid manufacturing base By broadening the tax base(= increasing the number of people who pay taxes) he could raise more revenue. see also customer base, power base Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivesolid, sound, broad, … verb + basecreate, form, have, … base + verbgrow, shrink See full entry
- 4(especially North American English) (usually British English basic) base pay/salary/wage the pay that you get before anything extra is added All we got was base pay—we didn't reach profitability levels to award a bonus. first/main substance
- 5[countable, usually singular] the first or main part of a substance to which other things are added a drink with a rum base Put some moisturizer on as a base before applying your make-up. main place
- 6 [countable] the main place where you live or stay or where a business operates from I spend a lot of time in Britain but Paris is still my base. The town is an ideal base for touring the area. You can use our apartment as a base in New York. The company has its base in New York, and branch offices all over the world. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveexcellent, ideal, perfect, … verb + basehave, establish, set up, … base + nouncamp prepositionbase for See full entry of army, navy, etc.
- 7 [countable, uncountable] a place where an army, a navy, etc. operates from a military/naval base an air base After the attack, they returned to base. Wordfindernavyadmiral, aircraft carrier, base, captain, command, fleet, navy, submarine, torpedo, warship Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveforeign, air, air-force, … verb + basehave, build, establish, … prepositionat a/the base, on a/the base, to (the) base, … See full entry See related entries: The navy chemistry
- 8 [countable] a chemical substance, for example an alkali, that can combine with an acid to form a salt mathematics
- 9 [countable, usually singular] a number on which a system of counting and expressing numbers is built up, for example 10 in the decimal system and 2 in the binary system in baseball/rounders
- 10[countable] one of the four positions that a player must reach in order to score points See related entries: Baseball see also database Word Originnoun Middle English: from Old French, from Latin basis ‘base, pedestal’, from Greek.Extra examples Demonstrators demanded the removal of foreign bases. He used the notes as a base for his lecture. The Americans established a naval base on the island in the 1960s. The company has its base in New York. The company has set up its new base in the north. The company is trying to expand its customer base. The country has a sound commercial base. The planes have all returned to base. The statue has a solid concrete base. These policies give us a solid base for winning the next election. a politician with a rural power base an ideal base for mountain expeditions equipment kept at the base people living on the air force base Four bronze lions stand at the base of the column. He felt a sharp pain at the base of his spine. She used her family’s history as a base for her novel.Idioms
lowest part
to consider and deal with all the things that could happen or could be needed when you are arranging something I am confident this contract covers all the bases.
(informal, especially North American English) to fail to make a successful start in a project, relationship, etc.; to fail to get through the first stage See related entries: Baseball (North American English, informal) completely wrong about something If that's what you think, you're way off base.
(informal) to make contact with somebody again
Check pronunciation: base
