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 
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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 21 Nov. 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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