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
Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth or identify as women, have no history of cancer (aside from common basal or squamous skin cancers) and be between the ages of 25 and 55.
—
Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 7 June 2024
With resources stretched so thin and the lion’s share of those left around relying on their basal survival instincts to get by, everyone becomes a potential risk.
—Jack King, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2024
For Adelaide's Lyon, recognizing that kinship is the real promise of basal cognition.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024
Talk to a healthcare provider about your basal insulin needs.
—Lynne Peeples, Health, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for basal 
Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 7 June 2024
With resources stretched so thin and the lion’s share of those left around relying on their basal survival instincts to get by, everyone becomes a potential risk.
—Jack King, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2024
For Adelaide's Lyon, recognizing that kinship is the real promise of basal cognition.
—Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024
Talk to a healthcare provider about your basal insulin needs.
—Lynne Peeples, Health, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for basal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'basal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near basal
Cite this Entry
“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basal. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
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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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