subbasement

American  

[suhb-beys-muhnt] / ˈsʌbˌbeɪs mənt /

noun

1. a basement or one of a series of basements below the main basement of a building.

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subbasement British  

/ ˈsʌbˌbeɪsmənt /

noun

1. an underground storey of a building beneath the main basement

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Etymology

Origin of subbasement

First recorded in 1900–05; sub- + basement

Example Sentences

For one thing, the hotel’s reputation had plummeted into its subbasement, with mocking public complaints about peeling wallpaper, worn furniture and bedbugs.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2023

The institute also converted a vast subbasement in its main building into a shelter with cots and a cooking area.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 6, 2022

He — Johannes Martin Kränzle, a characterful foil to Volle’s Wotan — forms his own dominion of research in the subbasement.

From New York Times • Oct. 10, 2022

This one had restricted levels above the lecture hall and admin offices, as well as a second bay of elevators and stairs which led to five tiers of subbasement.

From Slate • Aug. 27, 2022

The blaze was brought under control just before 10 p.m., but damage to the subbasement laboratory was extensive.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• apartment
• basement
• vault