basin
n.-
1 washing bowl (n.) B1 Intermediatea large, open bowl used for washing your hands or face, often found in a bathroom.
a wide, shallow vessel used for holding water for washing; in modern contexts, often refers to a sink or washbasin.
ExampleShe filled the basin with warm water to wash her face before bed.
ExampleThe guest bathroom featured a hand-carved stone basin that complemented the rustic aesthetic of the renovated farmhouse.
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2 drainage area (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Sciencean area of land where all the water from rain or melting snow flows into one river.
the entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries.
ExampleThe Amazon basin is home to the largest rainforest in the world.
ExampleEnvironmental scientists are monitoring the pollution levels across the entire river basin to identify the primary sources of industrial runoff.
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3 geological depression (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Sciencea low area of land or a dip in the earth's surface.
a large-scale structural depression in the Earth's crust, often where sediments have accumulated over millions of years.
ExampleThe desert basin was surrounded by high mountains on all sides.
ExampleThe sedimentary basin contains vast deposits of limestone, suggesting the region was once covered by a shallow prehistoric sea.
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4 sheltered water area (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea part of a harbour or dock where the water is kept still for boats.
an enclosed or partly enclosed area of water, such as a dock, where the water level is often controlled.
ExampleThe small fishing boats were safely tied up in the yacht basin.
ExampleThe city council approved plans to convert the old industrial basin into a modern marina with floating docks and waterfront dining.
Etymology tree Proto-Celtic *baskis Gaulish *baskisder. Vulgar Latin bacca Vulgar Latin *baccinum Old French bacinbor. Middle English basyn English basin From Middle English basyn, from Old French bacin, from Vulgar Latin *baccinum (“wide bowl”).