baseline

American  

[beys-lahyn] / ˈbeɪsˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Baseball. the area between bases base bases basis within which a base runner must keep when running from one base bases to another.

2. Tennis. the line at each end of a tennis court, parallel to the net, that marks the in-bounds limit of play.

3. (in perspective drawing) a horizontal line in the immediate foreground formed by the intersection of the ground plane and the picture plane.

4. a basic standard or level; guideline.

   to establish a baseline for future studies.

5. a specific value or values that can serve as a comparison or control.

6. Typography. the imaginary line on which the bottoms of primary letters align.

7. Surveying. triangulation1

8. Electronics. a horizontal or vertical line formed on the face of a cathode-ray tube by the sweep of the scanning dot.

9. Naval Architecture. a line on the body plan or sheer plan of a hull, representing a horizontal reference plane for vertical dimensions.

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adjective

1. basic or essential.

baseline British  

/ ˈbeɪsˌlaɪn /

noun

1. surveying a measured line through a survey area from which triangulations are made

2. an imaginary line, standard of value, etc, by which things are measured or compared

3. a line at each end of a tennis court that marks the limit of play

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Etymology

Origin of baseline

First recorded in 1740–50; base ¹ + line ¹

Example Sentences

For most retirees, researchers often recommend combining these approaches: using immediate or deferred-income annuities to secure a baseline of guaranteed income, supplemented by market investments for liquidity, flexibility and growth.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead of increasing brain activity, the research points to reducing baseline activity as a way to lower mental noise and improve attention.

From Science Daily

Here’s what his study did: About 400 people between the ages of 18 and 24 were instructed to use their phones normally for two weeks to get a baseline of screen time and other metrics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among her impressive moves, Sienna followed an offensive rebound with a step-back fadeaway jumper, drove the baseline for a layup and also took a pass over the top of the defense for a layup.

From Los Angeles Times

Goldman Sachs’ baseline forecast is similarly “friendly” for equities thanks in part to stimulative tax breaks by Washington and the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate cuts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• control
• criterion
• guideline
• measure
• standard