based

American  

[beyst] / beɪst /

adjective

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. having a specified origin or source (often used in combination).

   They want to replace animal-based foods with plant-based milks and vegetable protein.

5. 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!

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interjection

Slang.

1. (used to express approval or respect, especially in response to a social media post).

   Based. At least somebody shows some spine on this forum.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of base.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unbased
  adjective
• well-based
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of based

First recorded in 1610–20; base ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

"We were sound asleep when that thing came ripping through our neighbourhood," recalls Cantey, an aerospace engineer and consultant based in northern California.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

The company is based in Huntsville, Ala., and is led by James “Trip” Ferguson External link.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

The company also disclosed that, based on the terms it has laid out, Musk will own as much as 82.4% of the voting power of its common stock after SpaceX goes public.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

ADP’s figures are based on payroll changes seen among the company’s broad base of corporate clients.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is based on the life of a real little girl who lived in Japan from 1943 to 1955.

From "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr