base camp

American  

noun

1. a main encampment providing supplies, shelter, and communications for persons engaged in wide-ranging activities, as exploring, reconnaissance, hunting, or mountain climbing.

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Etymology

Origin of base camp

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Eventually, a permanent settlement of sorts will be established, acting as a base camp for future expeditions deeper into space.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

Because the only way to get back to base camp was via that icefall, Whittaker chose to stay above it on the mountain for five steady weeks as more camps were established up Everest.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

In between, Iran is expected to shuttle back and forth to its World Cup base camp in Tucson, Ariz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

He also complained that the Moroccans "wanted to force us to train at their base camp, the ultra-modern Mohamed VI centre, which is unrivalled in Senegal."

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

They head down the mountain, back to base camp, and when they get there they don’t say diddly.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien