base unit

American  

noun

Physics.

1. one of the units, as mass, length, time, or electric current, taken as a basis for a system of units in the sciences.

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base unit British  

noun

1. physics any of the fundamental units in a system of measurement. The base SI units are the metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, candela, and mole

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Example Sentences

This comprises a 1.5 litre glass carafe that sits on top of a porcelain base unit.

From BBC

Buyers have a choice of two hybrid engines, a base unit that produces 236 horsepower and a 340-horsepower Hybrid Max engine that powers the top Platinum trim, which can be ordered with a distinctive two-tone paint job.

From Seattle Times

Nestled in a glass pipe-shaped mouthpiece that looks like something your grandfather might have puffed on in his study back in the day, the heart and brains is a base unit about the size and shape of a film canister that can easily be swapped into other mouthpieces.

From Los Angeles Times

A third company, Detect, says its molecular test will be available from the company’s website this month for less than $50 per test, not including the cost of the reusable base unit, which will sell for less than $40.

From Los Angeles Times

For its part, Google is offering owners a 40 percent discount on a Nest Wifi unit, which should knock a fair amount off of pricing that currently starts at $149 for a base unit by itself or $189 for a base and one extender.

From The Verge