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
Now, the effectiveness of a novel basal insulin, efsitora alfa, that’s designed to be injected once a week has been tested in two separate Phase 3 clinical trials – one with type 1 diabetics and one with type 2 – and has yielded some very promising results.
—
New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2024
Ultraviolet radiation is thought to cause up to 95% of basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and between 70-95% of melanomas in people with fair skin.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 19 Aug. 2024
Fill the dish with enough water to just submerge the celery’s root end (basal plate), not the entire piece.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2024
In addition to the prefrontal cortex, ADHD affects other areas of the brain, including the basal ganglia, an area that regulates communication within the brain, and the cerebellum, which is responsible for movement and balance.
—Kate Harrington, The Conversation, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for basal 
New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2024
Ultraviolet radiation is thought to cause up to 95% of basal and squamous cell carcinomas, and between 70-95% of melanomas in people with fair skin.
—Andrea Kane, CNN, 19 Aug. 2024
Fill the dish with enough water to just submerge the celery’s root end (basal plate), not the entire piece.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2024
In addition to the prefrontal cortex, ADHD affects other areas of the brain, including the basal ganglia, an area that regulates communication within the brain, and the cerebellum, which is responsible for movement and balance.
—Kate Harrington, The Conversation, 25 July 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 6 Oct. 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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