based

American  

[beyst] / beɪst /

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!

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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

Etymology

Origin of based

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

Example Sentences

But what was it like when the present started mirroring what you already made based on the past?

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

“We believe that we are strongly positioned to compete and win based on what is now nearly two decades of work on the functionality, characteristics, cost and presentation of plant-based inputs,” he said.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

ABS also calls strikes based on where the ball crosses the midpoint of the plate rather than the three-dimensional box described in the rulebook.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

"This decision is not based on any technical criteria and nor have we been given enough information."

From BBC • May 6, 2026

"In fact, it is not based on any kind of life at all. I did not ask you to use your imagination today. I asked you to use your eyes— to draw what you see."

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville