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
Examples of basal in a Sentence
many students lacked even a basal familiarity with the topic
Recent Examples on the Web
None of those are toxic, but the right plant has hollow, single, unbranched stems with milky sap and smooth leaves growing in a basal rosette.
—
Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
None are toxic, but check for hollow single stems, milky sap and a basal rosette before any of it hits your cutting board.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
With spasmodic dysphonia, the area of your brain responsible for involuntary muscle movement, called the basal ganglia, is affected.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that people on Awiqli achieved the same blood sugar management as those on daily basal insulin.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for basal
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Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
None are toxic, but check for hollow single stems, milky sap and a basal rosette before any of it hits your cutting board.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
With spasmodic dysphonia, the area of your brain responsible for involuntary muscle movement, called the basal ganglia, is affected.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The researchers found that people on Awiqli achieved the same blood sugar management as those on daily basal insulin.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for basal
Cite this Entry
“Basal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basal. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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