Great Basin

American  

noun

1. a region in the Western U.S. that has no drainage to the ocean: includes most of Nevada and parts of Utah, California, Oregon, and Idaho. 210,000 sq. mi. (544,000 sq. km).

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Great Basin British  

noun

1. a semiarid region of the western US, between the Wasatch and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, having no drainage to the ocean: includes Nevada, W Utah, and parts of E California, S Oregon, and Idaho. Area: about 490 000 sq km (189 000 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

“We need more transparency, and we need more accountability,” said Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025

They occur when a large area of high pressure becomes established over the interior of western US, centred around the Great Basin, which includes much of Nevada and parts of Utah, Idaho and south-east Oregon.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025

The Santa Ana winds, which originate inland from cool, high-pressure air masses in the Great Basin, routinely affect Southern California this time of year and help create wildfire conditions.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2024

"It stands to significantly impact and alter ecosystems across the Great Basin and Mojave Desert."

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2024

I don’t even know where the Great Basin is.

From "Adrift" by Paul Griffin