1 basilar | Definition of basilar
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

basilar

adjective
bas·​i·​lar | \ ˈba-zə-lər How to pronounce basilar (audio) , -sə- also ˈbā-\

Definition of basilar

: of, relating to, or situated at the base

Examples of basilar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Drivers were slow to embrace the HANS until the 1999 death of Gonzalo Rodriguez from a basilar skull fracture. — Brody Miller, Indianapolis Star, "Sebastien Bourdais: 'It's pretty straightforward simple that I'd be dead'," 20 June 2017 A soft tissue structure called the basilar membrane, while not present in the fossil itself, was indicated by other parts of the ear to be of a size and thickness consistent with high-frequency hearing. — Jonah Engel Bromwich, New York Times, "An Ancient ‘Echo Hunter’ Provides Clues on Whale Evolution," 4 Aug. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'basilar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of basilar

1541, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for basilar

borrowed from Middle French basilaire, from base base entry 1 or Latin basis basis + -ilaire, extension of -aire -ary entry 2, after cimbalaire "cymbal-shaped," borrowed from Medieval Latin cymbalāris (from Latin cymbalum cymbal + -āris -ar)

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for basilar

basilar

adjective
bas·​i·​lar | \ ˈbaz-(ə-)lər, ˈbas- also ˈbāz- or ˈbās-\

Medical Definition of basilar

: of, relating to, or situated at the base basilar fractures of the skull

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!