basement
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a floor of a building that is below the level of the ground.
the lowest storey of a building, situated wholly or partly below ground level.
Simple“We store our old suitcases and holiday decorations in the basement.”
In context“The architect designed a reinforced concrete basement to house the building's complex heating and ventilation systems.”
Teacher's tipIn British English, 'cellar' is often used for storage areas, while 'basement' usually implies a finished, livable space.
- 02 C1 Advanced
the very bottom position in a sports league or competition.
the lowest position in a league table or set of competitive standings.
Simple“After losing five games in a row, the team is stuck in the league basement.”
In context“The club's management is under immense pressure to recruit new talent before they become permanent residents of the division basement.”
UsageOften used with the definite article 'the'.
Teacher's tipThis is a common metaphorical use in sports journalism to describe teams that are failing.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
the solid rock that lies under layers of soil or softer rock.
the solid, typically igneous or metamorphic rock that forms the foundation of a tectonic platform.
Simple“The engineers had to drill deep through the soil to reach the hard basement rock.”
In context“Geological surveys revealed that the sedimentary basin sits atop a complex basement of ancient metamorphic structures.”
UsageOften used as a modifier, as in 'basement rock'.
Teacher's tipThis is a highly specialized term used in geology and civil engineering.
Synonyms
“Officials said Siddharth’s body was discovered on the home’s first floor, while his mother’s body was found in the basement.”
“The result sits somewhere between a tour preview and a basement show, polished but relaxed enough to let a little air in.”
From base + -ment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.