often attributive
1
: a line serving as a basis
especially
: one of known measure or position used (as in surveying or navigation) to calculate or locate something
2
3
: a boundary line at either end of a court (as in tennis or basketball)
4
: a usually initial set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control
5
: a starting point
the baseline of this discussion
Synonyms
Examples of baseline in a Sentence
The experiment is meant only to provide a baseline for other studies.
any year or event we use as the baseline for the Renaissance is going to be at least somewhat arbitrary
Recent Examples on the Web
Martinelli drove the baseline, attracting a double-team before getting a step between the two USC defenders and creating enough space to loft the shot and give Northwestern (13-10 overall, 4-8 Big Ten) the lead in the closing seconds.
—
Staff and News Service Reports, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
Martinelli split a double team near the baseline and softly laid it in to give Northwestern (13-10, 4-8 Big Ten) the lead in the closing seconds.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
After that, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and influenza activity plummeted below baseline levels.
—Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025
Hoffman said the team felt ready to publicly share its ambitions this week since its baseline, foundational resources are in order.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for baseline 
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Staff and News Service Reports, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025
Martinelli split a double team near the baseline and softly laid it in to give Northwestern (13-10, 4-8 Big Ten) the lead in the closing seconds.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
After that, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and influenza activity plummeted below baseline levels.
—Ars Technica, 4 Feb. 2025
Hoffman said the team felt ready to publicly share its ambitions this week since its baseline, foundational resources are in order.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for baseline
Dictionary Entries Near baseline
Cite this Entry
“Baseline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baseline. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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Medical Definition
baseline
noun
base·line
ˈbā-ˌslīn 
: a set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control
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