basis

American  

[bay-sis] / ˈbeɪ sɪs /

noun

• bases
  plural

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.

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basis British  

/ 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

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basis Scientific  

/ bā′sĭs /

• bases
  plural

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

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basis Idioms  

1. see on a first-name basis.

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Usage

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.

Synonym Usage

See base ¹.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• bases
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of basis

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

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Explanation

Basis is the underlying reason or assumption. The basis of a dictionary is that people are curious to learn the meanings of new words. You are interested, right? Basis can also apply to a system or pattern that has been established. For example: Since your job is so exhausting, you need vacations on a regular basis. The basis of democracy is regular free elections. Not surprisingly, as its sense of something from which other things spring, basis comes from the Latin word of the same spelling meaning "foundation."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

basis bases

“So, it feels lot less politicized. It feels like an ongoing, daily basis work of people that know what they’re doing, that know the terrain.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 13, 2026

In a statement, the PPS said that the decision not to prosecute was made on the basis "there was insufficient evidence to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction".

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

Groupon is still working on its approach to the algorithms, “pretty much learning and changing it” on an everyday basis, he added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2026

On the same Year 2 basis, the S&P 500 trades at a forward P/E of 15.7.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 13, 2026

“If I was a regular, then I would get to see Duke on a regular basis and he’s my hero because he’s so brave and courageous on a regular basis.”

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Similar posts can be found about other bases in the region, including Kuwait’s Camp Arifjan and Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base in Jordan.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2026

Repairing damage to regional bases, not including equipment and aircraft, would cost an estimated $9 billion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2026

Government ministers want to use former military bases as part of efforts close all asylum hotels.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

Army in Europe, agreed that reinforcing deterrence will have to become a key policy—as well as a series of adaptations, such as hardening air bases, dispersing forces and making them more mobile.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 12, 2026

Some described being transferred between bases eight or more times in as many years, in each instance needing to start over in settling their children into things like music lessons or enrichment programs.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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Related Words

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

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