Great Basin

American  

noun

1. a region in the Western U.S. that has no drainage to the ocean: includes most of Nevada and parts of Utah, California, Oregon, and Idaho. 210,000 sq. mi. (544,000 sq. km).

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Great Basin British  

noun

1. a semiarid region of the western US, between the Wasatch and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, having no drainage to the ocean: includes Nevada, W Utah, and parts of E California, S Oregon, and Idaho. Area: about 490 000 sq km (189 000 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

“We need more transparency, and we need more accountability,” said Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

They occur when a large area of high pressure becomes established over the interior of western US, centred around the Great Basin, which includes much of Nevada and parts of Utah, Idaho and south-east Oregon.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025

"It makes available to solar areas that are ecologically sensitive, areas that include sensitive species. It stands to significantly impact and alter ecosystems across the Great Basin and Mojave Desert."

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2024

“Hot temperatures, dry fuels and occasional gusty winds are likely to maintain an enhanced wildfire risk for parts of the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin and California,” the Climate Prediction Center warned.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2024

“Whose doesn’t? The Great Basin being in New Mexico, of course.”

From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin