based

[beyst]

adjective

1. having a specified object or material as its base or foundation or as its primary constituent (often used in combination).

   Our house was one of the three stone-based houses of that era, built by my maternal grandfather.

2. established, grounded, or focused on a specified principle or belief, fact, method, etc. (often used in combination).

   It’s a culturally based phys ed curriculum that uses Indian traditions and values to teach healthy lifestyle habits.

   There are a number of promising evidence-based treatment modalities to address depression.

3. having a specified place as its primary location or headquarters; stationed or situated (often used in combination).

   A centrally based Houston media agency is looking for a Digital Account Manager to help with a key communications client.

   The Chicago-based HIV/AIDS organization provides housing, healthcare, and substance abuse programs for its clients.

4. having a specified origin or source (often used in combination).

   They want to replace animal-based foods with plant-based milks and vegetable protein.

5. Slang.,  true to one’s self or secure in one’s beliefs regardless of what others think, especially when those beliefs fall outside of the mainstream.

   Her presentation was so based—did you see the teacher's expression? Priceless!

interjection

Slang.

1. (used to express approval or respect, especially in response to a social media post).

   Based. At least somebody shows some spine on this forum.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of base.

Other Word Forms

• unbased adjective
• well-based adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of based¹

First recorded in 1610–20; base ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

California has failed to block federal officers from arresting immigrants based on their appearance, language and location.

From Los Angeles Times

Brittany Sheehan, a sleep consultant based in Los Angeles, told Salon she hasn’t seen the popularity of ChatGPT impact her business directly.

From Salon

From our research on extremism, it’s clear that the president’s and Miller’s assertions about political violence from the left are not based on actual facts.

From Salon

“We are always doing security assessments and evaluating when we have speakers, especially high-profile speakers, to campus. But there are no specific changes to day-to-day operations based on the tragedy out of Utah,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

But what has made Norma a nationwide obsession is the fact that it's based on a viral true story.

From BBC