basis

[ bey-sis ]

noun

, plural ba·ses [bey, -seez].

1. the bottom or base of anything; the part on which something stands or rests.
2. anything upon which something is based; fundamental principle; groundwork.
3. the principal constituent; fundamental ingredient.
4. a basic fact, amount, standard, etc., used in making computations, reaching conclusions, or the like:

   The nurse is paid on an hourly basis. He was chosen on the basis of his college grades.

5. Mathematics. a set of linearly independent elements of a given vector space having the property that every element of the space can be written as a linear combination of the elements of the set.

basis

/ ˈbeɪsɪs /

noun

1. something that underlies, supports, or is essential to something else, esp an abstract idea
2. a principle on which something depends or from which something has issued
3. maths (of a vector space) a maximal set of linearly independent vectors, in terms of which all the elements of the space are uniquely expressible, and the number of which is the dimension of the space

   the vectors x, y and z form a basis of the 3-dimensional space all members of which can be written as ax + by + cz

basis

/ bā′sĭs /

, Plural bases bā′sēz′

1. A set of independent vectors whose linear combinations define a vector space, such as a reference frame used to establish a coordinate system.

Word History and Origins

Origin of basis¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin, from Greek básis “step, place one stands on, pedestal,” from ba(ínein) “to walk, step” ( come ) + -sis -sis; base ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of basis¹

C14: via Latin from Greek: step, from bainein to step, go

Idioms and Phrases

see on a first-name basis .

Synonym Study

See base ¹.

Example Sentences

The financial considerations that previously kept the Dodgers from pushing all-in on an annual basis suddenly feel as if they’re behind them.

From Los Angeles Times

"Critique is an essential part of science, and the basis for growth, innovation and evolution -- this is no less true for the field of cell therapy."

From Science Daily

The IDF has said that refusal to serve by reservists is dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and Prime Minister Netanyahu insists it is “the most moral army in the world”.

From BBC

Tennessee also maintains that the ban does no discriminate on the basis of sex, arguing that it is instead a healthcare regulation that applies to all.

From Salon

Yet there’s much more to be said about Ohanian’s original article, as well as the glee with which conservatives seized on its headline claim as the basis for largely groundless attacks on California’s economic policies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assumption
• base
• essential
• evidence
• explanation
• footing
• fundamental
• justification
• premise
• principle
• proof
• reason
• security
• support
• theory

What Is The Plural Of Basis?

Plural word for basis

The plural form of basis is bases, pronounced [ bey-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in this way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, crisis/crises, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices.

Irregular plurals that are formed like bases derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek.