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
Prior to the treatment, weakly affiliated Democrats had a 19 percent higher basal testosterone than those who identified strongly with the party.
—
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Avoid disturbing the basal leaves by cutting stems 2 to 3 inches above the soil line.
07 of 10
Peony
Botanical Name: Paeonia spp.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024
Findings such as these suggest that in people with RBD, movement is generated through a motor circuit that bypasses the basal ganglia.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2023
The tool tracks heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, stress levels, basal temperature, and more.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for basal 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Avoid disturbing the basal leaves by cutting stems 2 to 3 inches above the soil line.
07 of 10
Peony
Botanical Name: Paeonia spp.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024
Findings such as these suggest that in people with RBD, movement is generated through a motor circuit that bypasses the basal ganglia.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2023
The tool tracks heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, stress levels, basal temperature, and more.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2024
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 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share