1
a
: relating to, situated at, or forming the base
b
: arising from the base of a stem
basal leaves
2
a
: of or relating to the foundation, base, or essence : fundamental
b
: of, relating to, or being essential for maintaining the fundamental vital activities of an organism : minimal
a basal diet
c
: used for teaching beginners
basal readers
basally
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of basal in a Sentence
many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic
Recent Examples on the Web
The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to result from dysfunction in the basal ganglia, a part of the brain that controls movement.
—
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Dystonia is thought to begin in the part of the brain called the basal ganglia that controls how muscles contract.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
Amazingly, many of the 100-year-old-plus trees had significant basal scars but were still thriving.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2025
Instead, open up space at the bud union for basal breaks by sawing out undesirable canes flush at the bud union.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for basal 
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Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Dystonia is thought to begin in the part of the brain called the basal ganglia that controls how muscles contract.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025
Amazingly, many of the 100-year-old-plus trees had significant basal scars but were still thriving.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2025
Instead, open up space at the bud union for basal breaks by sawing out undesirable canes flush at the bud union.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for basal
Dictionary Entries Near basal
Cite this Entry
“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basal. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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Medical Definition
1
: relating to, situated at, or forming the base
2
: of, relating to, or essential for maintaining the fundamental vital activities of an organism (as respiration, heartbeat, or excretion)
a basal diet
see basal metabolism
3
: serving as or serving to induce an initial comatose or unconscious state that forms a basis for further anesthetization
basal narcosis
a basal anesthetic
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