adj · noun · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:[ˈbeɪsəɫ]
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US, also:[ˈbeɪzəɫ]
rhymes with -eɪsəl
rhymes with -eɪzəl
CMU ARPABET:B EY1 S AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Basic, elementary; relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
This is the basal idea.
The organism needs more energy on basal maintenance.
A basal reader is a kind of book that is used to teach reading.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Associated with the base of an organism or structure.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: anatomy, medicine, sciences
Examples
In the spring, basal leaves emerge from a stout taproot.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Of a minimal level that is necessary for maintaining the health or life of an organism.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: medicine, sciences
Examples
a basal diet
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
In a phylogenetic tree, being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier. The earliest clade to branch in a larger clade.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: chiefly systematics
Examples
Hittite is a basal Indo-European language.
A magnolia is a basal angiosperm.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
base, bottom, minimum
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
Any basal structure or part
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: anatomy, medicine, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adjective
Meaning 7
especially of leaves; located at the base of a plant or stem; especially arising directly from the root or rootstock or a root-like stem
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
basal placentation
radical leaves
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: radical
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective satellite
Meaning 8
of primary importance
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: primary
Antonyms: none provided
9
adjective satellite
Meaning 9
serving as or forming a base
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the painter applied a base coat followed by two finishing coats
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: base
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gwem- Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *gwémtis Proto-Hellenic *gwə́tis Ancient Greek βᾰ́σῐς (bắsĭs)bor. Latin basis Old French basebor. Middle English base English base Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English basal From base + -al.
Across languages
Translations
21 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
основен
(osnoven)
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Bulgarian:
фундаментален
(fundamentalen)
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Catalan:
basal
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Czech:
základní
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Czech:
bazální
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Dutch:
basaal
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Hungarian:
alapvető
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Ido:
bazala
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Romanian:
de bază
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Romanian:
bazal
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Romanian:
fundamental
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Spanish:
basal
— relating to, or forming, the base, or point of origin
Chinese Mandarin:
基底的
(jīdǐ de)
— associated with the base of an organism or structure
German:
basal
— associated with the base of an organism or structure
Hungarian:
alapi
— associated with the base of an organism or structure
Hungarian:
bazális
— associated with the base of an organism or structure
Dutch:
basaal
— of a minimal level that is necessary for maintaining the health or life of an organism
Dutch:
basaal
— being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier
Finnish:
basaalinen
— being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier
Finnish:
basaali
— being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier
Hungarian:
bazális
— being a group, or member of a group, which diverged earlier