plural bass or basses
: any of numerous edible marine or freshwater bony fishes (especially families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae of the order Perciformes)
1
: deep or grave in tone
2
a
: of low pitch
b
: relating to or having the range or part of a bass
1
a
: the lowest voice part in a 4-part chorus
b
: the lower half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range compare treble entry 1
c
: the lowest adult male singing voice
also
: a person having this voice
d
: a member of a family of instruments having the lowest range
especially
: double bass
2
: a deep or grave tone : a low-pitched sound
1
2
: a coarse tough fiber from palms
Synonyms
Examples of bass in a Sentence
Adjective
the sound of the bass drum
a man with an impressive bass voice
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
The soaring harmonies on the chorus, the nasty edge to the bass line, the way the horns add sizzle to an already piping-hot track; these are all the indelible hallmarks of Jones’ work.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Then in 2021, Bosley’s brother Terrell Bosley — an 18-year-old aspiring bass player — was shot and killed outside Lights of Zion Church in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood.
—Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Name Greg Norton Best known for High-flying bass player for Hüsker Dü, now leaping around stages with my new band, UltraBomb!
Current city Red Wing, Minnesota
Really want to be On the road touring with UltraBomb.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bass 
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Noun
Everybody Digs Bill Evans Director: Grant Gee Producers: Janine Marmot, Alan Maher
Key cast: Anders Danielsen Lie, Bill Pullman, Laurie Metcalf
The biopic, which starts in 1961, follows jazz pianist Bill Evans, who has created the perfect trio, including bass player Scott LaFaro.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
The soaring harmonies on the chorus, the nasty edge to the bass line, the way the horns add sizzle to an already piping-hot track; these are all the indelible hallmarks of Jones’ work.
—Elias Leight, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
Then in 2021, Bosley’s brother Terrell Bosley — an 18-year-old aspiring bass player — was shot and killed outside Lights of Zion Church in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood.
—Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Name Greg Norton Best known for High-flying bass player for Hüsker Dü, now leaping around stages with my new band, UltraBomb!
Current city Red Wing, Minnesota
Really want to be On the road touring with UltraBomb.
—Liza Lentini, SPIN, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bass
Dictionary Entries Near bass
Cite this Entry
“Bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bass. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bass
1 of 2 noun
plural bass or basses
: any of various spiny-finned freshwater or saltwater sport and food fishes
bass
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the lowest musical part in harmony for four parts compare alto sense 1b, soprano entry 2 sense 1, tenor sense 2a
b
: the lower half of a musical tone range compare treble
2
a
: the lowest male singing voice or a person who has this voice
b
: a person or instrument performing the bass part
bass
adjective
Etymology
Noun
Old English bærs "bass"
Noun
Middle English bas (adjective) "being or having a low solemn tone"
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