base
base
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "base" is /beɪs/.
/beɪs/ (one syllable)
/b/ as in bat
/eɪ/ as in day
/s/ as in sit
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: base
Plural Noun: bases
Verb (Infinitive): to base
Verb (Present Simple, 3rd person singular): bases
Verb (Present Participle): basing
Verb (Past Simple): based
Verb (Past Participle): based
Adjective: base (less common in modern use for some meanings, but still valid, e.g., "base metal")
Adverb: basely (less common)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The fundamental or lowest part of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported.
Synonyms: foundation, bottom, foot, stand, support
Antonyms: top, apex, summit, peak, pinnacle
Definition 2: A main ingredient or essential component from which something is developed or composed.
Synonyms: core, essence, root, groundwork, starting point
Antonyms: addition, supplement, derivative, byproduct
Definition 3: A central or main place from which an activity, operation, or organization is directed or launched.
Synonyms: headquarters, center, depot, station, hub
Antonyms: outpost, periphery, remote location
Definition 4: (In sports, especially baseball) One of the four points that a runner must touch in succession to score a run.
Synonyms: plate (home plate), bag (first base, second base, third base)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this specific context)
Definition 5: (In chemistry) A substance that accepts protons or donates electron pairs, typically having a pH greater than 7.
Synonyms: alkali (for some bases)
Antonyms: acid
Verb
Definition 1: To use as the fundamental part or starting point for something; to found or establish on.
Example:* "The movie was based on a true story."
Synonyms: found, ground, establish, derive, build
Antonyms: dismantle, unground, remove, negate
Definition 2: To locate or situate in a particular place, especially as a center for operations.
Example: "The company decided to base its operations in London."
Synonyms: situate, locate, position, station, center
Antonyms: displace, relocate, disperse, remove
Adjective
Definition 1: Forming the bottom or lowest part of something.
Example: "The base layer of the cake was made of chocolate."
Synonyms: foundational, fundamental, bottom, underlying
Antonyms: top, upper, surface
Definition 2: (Of a metal) Not precious; relatively unreactive and easily oxidized.
Example: "Lead is a base metal, unlike gold."
Synonyms: common, ignoble, impure
Antonyms: noble, precious, pure
Definition 3: Lacking moral principles; ignoble or contemptible. (Less common in modern usage, often replaced by "basic" or "vile" in casual speech, but still valid.)
Example: "He acted with base motives."
Synonyms: ignoble, mean, vile, despicable, depraved
Antonyms: noble, honorable, virtuous, exalted, admirable
Adverb
Basely: In a base or ignoble manner. (Rarely used in modern English.)
Example: "He acted basely, betraying his friends."
Synonyms: ignobly, meanly, vilely, despicably
Antonyms: nobly, honorably, virtuously
Examples of Use
Books:
"His work provided the base for much of modern quantum mechanics." (From A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, 1988)
"The company decided to base its European operations in Dublin, citing the favorable tax environment." (From The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson, 2014)
Newspapers:
"Officials announced plans to expand the military base in the region to accommodate more personnel." (Associated Press)
"The prosecutor sought to base her case on newly discovered forensic evidence." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"While the new policy has a strong theoretical base, its practical implementation faces several challenges." (The Economist online)
"Many popular fantasy novels are based on ancient myths and legends." (Literary Hub)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Return to Base." (A common phrase heard in action movies or sci-fi films when characters are instructed to go back to their starting point or headquarters.)
Television Series: "The show is loosely based on events from the Roman Empire." (A common description found on streaming platform synopses for historical dramas, e.g., Rome, HBO, 2004-2007)
Video Game: "Capture the enemy base to win the match!" (A frequent objective in real-time strategy or capture-the-flag video games, e.g., StarCraft II, Blizzard Entertainment, July 2010)
Music: "You're my home, you're my base." (Lyrics from a contemporary pop song implying a foundation of stability and support.)
General Public Discourse:
"We need to get back to base principles if we want to solve this problem." (Heard in a community meeting discussing policy reform)
"My advice is to base your decision on solid facts, not just emotions." (A common piece of advice given in everyday conversations)
"The team's success is built on a strong defensive base." (A sports commentator during a game broadcast)
10 Quotes Using Base
"The base of all things is love." (Unknown)
"Every reform, however necessary, will by weak minds be carried to an excess, which will itself need reforming." (Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "Table Talk," 1834)
"The love of money is the base of all evil." (1 Timothy 6:10, King James Bible)
"Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking, and the base of that is integrity." (H. Jackson Brown Jr., "Life's Little Instruction Book," 1991)
"A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world; all else is a base counterfeit." (Muhammad, as quoted in "Sayings of Muhammad" by Abdullah Al-Mamun Al-Suhrawardy, 1905)
"On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18, as translated in many Christian Bibles, referring to a foundational "rock" or "base")
"All free governments are founded on the base of a Bill of Rights." (James Monroe, Letter to Thomas Jefferson, March 19, 1787)
"Courage is the base of everything." (Abraham Lincoln, as quoted in "Lincoln's Own Stories" by Anthony Gross, 1912)
"The base of our spiritual life is laid in the first days of our existence." (Maria Montessori, "The Secret of Childhood," 1936)
"Good sense is the most equitably divided thing in the world, for each man thinks he is so well provided with it that even those who are most difficult to satisfy in everything else do not usually desire more of it than they possess." (René Descartes, "Discourse on the Method," 1637, referring to a universal "base" of reason)
Etymology
The word "base" has a rich history, essentially meaning "foundation" or "bottom."
It first came into English around the year 1300. At that time, its main meaning was the "foundation of a building" or the "pedestal of a statue" – basically, the lowest part of anything that provides support.
This English word "base" actually came from the Old French word "bas," which meant "depth." And "bas" itself came from the Latin word "basis," meaning "foundation." Going even further back, "basis" originated from the Ancient Greek word "basis," which literally meant "a stepping," "a step," or "that on which one steps or stands." So, you can see how the idea of something to stand on or something that supports everything else has been central to the word's meaning for a very long time!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Base
Touch base: To make contact with someone, usually briefly, to update or check in.
Off base: Incorrect or mistaken; not in line with the facts or truth.
Cover all your bases: To prepare thoroughly for all possibilities or eventualities.
Get to first base: To achieve the first step or a small initial success in a process.
Home base: A person's home or a primary location from which they operate.
On a regular base (or basis): Done consistently or at regular intervals.
Strike out on one's own base: To become independent and self-reliant. (This is a less common, more illustrative phrase, playing on the idea of establishing one's own foundation.)
Base metal: A common, inexpensive metal, as opposed to a precious one. Also used idiomatically to refer to something of lesser value or quality.
Base instincts: Fundamental, often primal or unsophisticated, urges or desires.
Base of operations: A primary location from which a person or group conducts their activities.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of base from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
