Base
/beɪs/
nounadjectiveverbB1
Definition
As a noun, "base" means the bottom or foundation of an object or idea. It is the part that supports everything above it. As an adjective, it describes something low or basic. As a verb, it means to use something as a starting point or foundation for an action, idea, or plan.
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See It in Action
The bottom or supporting part of something
- •The statue stood on a stone base.
- •The lamp's base is heavy to keep it steady.
- •The tree's base was covered in moss.
The main place or starting point
- •The army set up a base near the border.
- •Our company has its base in New York.
- •The research is based on scientific facts.
To use something as a foundation or starting point (verb)
- •The movie is based on a true story.
- •She based her decision on the advice of experts.
- •We will base our plans on the weather forecast.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "base" like "bottom" (A1 word), but "base" can also mean the starting place for ideas or actions, not just physical things.
- ✓Picture a building: the base is the strong bottom part that holds everything up.
- ✓It's the feeling of having a safe place to start from, like your home or school.
- ✓Sounds like "base" → imagine a baseball base where players run and start from.
- ✓Think of a kitchen base where you prepare food—the place where everything begins.
- ✓NOT like "top" (the highest part), "base" is the lowest or supporting part.
- ✓NOT like "change" (which means to make different), "base" means to start or build on something.
- ✓NOT like "simple" (just easy), "base" can mean important foundation, not only simple or low quality.
Try Other Words
- •Foundation: the strong support under something (Use when talking about buildings or ideas that support something)
- •Center: main place or headquarters (Use when talking about the main place where people work or live)
- •Start from: to use as a beginning point (Use when talking about ideas or actions beginning from something)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: base (no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old French "base," from Latin "basis," meaning "foundation" or "support"
- •Historical development: The word originally meant the bottom or foundation of a structure and later developed to include starting points for ideas or actions
- •Modern usage: Used in many contexts, from physical objects to ideas and actions, showing its broad meaning as a foundation or starting place
Reflect & Connect
•How do you decide what is the "base" or starting point when you begin a new project or task?
•Can something be a "base" in both a physical and an abstract way at the same time? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The statue stood firmly on its base, which ___ it from falling over.
2.Our team set up a base ___ the city to organize our work.
3.The movie was base___ on a real event that happened last year.
4.She made her decision based ___ the advice from her teacher.
5.The lamp's base is heavy so that it ___ steady on the table.
6.Unlike the top of the mountain, the base is the ___ part you start climbing from.
7.When building a house, the foundation or base must be very ___ to support everything above.