based
Americanadjective
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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.
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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.
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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.
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having a specified origin or source (often used in combination).
They want to replace animal-based foods with plant-based milks and vegetable protein.
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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
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of based
First recorded in 1610–20; base 1 ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Based on that relationship, greater activity in Purkinje cells would be expected to correspond with lower activity in deep nuclei cells, while reduced Purkinje activity would be expected to have the opposite effect.
From Science Daily • Jul. 1, 2026
Based on its forward price-to-earnings ratio, which compares the price of the index against expected earnings per share for its member companies, the index has actually gotten cheaper over the past year.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026
Based on the 2012 novel by Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi, The Polygamist has been adapted for the screen by Netflix in collaboration with South African production company Stained Glass TV.
From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026
Based in Los Angeles, the 30-year-old is a showman with a million-plus YouTube subscribers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Based on what I read, I guessed he’d invited every kid at CHS.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.