Basque

American  

[bask] / bæsk /

noun

1. one of a people of unknown origin inhabiting the western Pyrenees regions in France and Spain.

2. their language, not known to be related to any other language.

3. (lowercase) a close-fitting bodice, sometimes having an extension that covers the hips.

4. (lowercase) the extension of this bodice or of a doublet.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Basques or their language.

Basque ¹ British  

/ bæsk, bɑːsk /

noun

1. a member of a people of unknown origin living around the W Pyrenees in France and Spain

2. the language of this people, of no known relationship with any other language

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adjective

1. relating to, denoting, or characteristic of this people or their language

basque ² British  

/ bɑːsk, bæsk /

noun

1. a short extension below the waist to the bodice of a woman's jacket, etc

2. a tight-fitting bodice for women

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Etymology

Origin of Basque¹

C19: from French, from Latin Vascō a Basque

Origin of basque²

C19: perhaps from _Basque

Example Sentences

But the ongoing controversy does not seem to be putting off the 31-year-old Basque, who is certainly one to watch when the Masters begins on 9 April.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

They crept across the border and Spain met them as berlinas by the mid-20th century, mostly in quiet corners of Catalonia and the Basque country.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

Flick's Barca beat Alonso's Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday and a day later Los Blancos agreed a deal with the Basque coach to depart and appointed Alvaro Arbeloa.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

The path of totality of the Aug. 12 solar eclipse will sweep across much of Spain, but Basque Country, in the north, is our pick for sparser crowds and plenty to do.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

The Basque lying against my legs was tanned the color of saddle-leather.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway