# bases

/ˈbeɪsəz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bases
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. foundations or bottom parts

noun · CEFR A2

the bottom parts of objects that support them.

For teachers: the lowest or supporting parts of physical structures.

- The lamp bases were made of heavy marble to keep them from tipping over.
- The architect insisted that the column bases be reinforced with steel to withstand the weight of the new mezzanine level.

### 2. military or operations centres

noun · CEFR B1

places where a military or business does its main work.

For teachers: centres of operations or headquarters, particularly in a military or logistical context.

- The army has several bases located near the border.
- The corporation established regional bases across Southeast Asia to streamline their distribution network and reduce shipping costs.

### 3. starting points for ideas

noun · CEFR B2

the plural of 'basis'; the main ideas or facts that something is built on.

For teachers: the plural of 'basis'; the underlying principles, facts, or foundations from which a system or idea is developed.

- The two theories have very different scientific bases.
- The legal team argued that the two cases rested on entirely different constitutional bases, necessitating separate trials.

### 4. baseball

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

the four stations a player must run to in a game of baseball.

For teachers: the four stations on a baseball field that a runner must touch in order to score a run.

- The runner managed to steal two bases during the second inning.
- With the bases loaded and two outs, the pressure on the pitcher to deliver a strike was immense.

### 5. to use as a foundation

verb · CEFR A2

to use a particular place or idea as a starting point.

For teachers: the third-person singular present form of 'base'; to use something as a foundation or starting point for an activity or idea.

- She bases her entire argument on the latest research.
- The company bases its marketing strategy on consumer data collected over the last five years.

Usage: often used with the preposition 'on'

## Examples

- The lamps have heavy metal bases so they do not fall over.
- The international corporation operates several research bases in remote parts of the Antarctic to study climate change.
- By establishing multiple logistical bases across the continent, the army ensured that its supply lines remained robust during the prolonged winter campaign.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.