basin
noun
ba·sin
| \ ˈbā-sᵊn
\
\
Definition of basin
1a
: an open usually circular vessel with sloping or curving sides used typically for holding water for washing
a new washstand and basin
b
chiefly British
: a bowl used especially in cooking
c
: the quantity contained in a basin
spilled a basin of water on the floor
2a
: a dock built in a harbor or a river that is noticeably affected by the tide
b
: an enclosed or partly enclosed water area
3 geography
a
: a large or small depression in the surface of the land or in the ocean floor
the relatively shallow basin of the Baltic Sea
b
: the entire tract of country drained by a river and its tributaries
flooding in the Amazon river basin
c
: a great depression in the surface of the lithosphere occupied by an ocean
4
geology
: a broad area of the earth beneath which the strata (see stratum sense 2a) dip usually from the sides toward the center
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Other Words from basin
basinal
\ ˈbā-sᵊn-əl
\
adjective
\
adjective
basined
\ ˈbā-sᵊnd
\
adjective
\
adjective
basinful
\ ˈbā-sᵊn-ˌfu̇l
\
noun
\
noun
Examples of basin in a Sentence
a basin of cold water
the drainage basin of a river
the Great Basin of the western U.S.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Out of respect for basin ecology, the compact set a hard path for diversions. — Anna Clark, Twin Cities, "Anna Clark: Is Foxconn really worth risking a Great Lake?," 3 Sep. 2019 WeWork's first IPO filing leaves investors with a basin of questions. — Lucinda Shen, Fortune, "Would You Invest In WeWork? Here’s the Bull and Bear Case Before Its IPO," 1 Sep. 2019 In recent years, population growth in the upper basin of the river has increased groundwater pumping by billions of gallons annually, levels that outpace river recharge by rainfall. — Alison Steinbach, azcentral, "Recent UA study confirms groundwater pumping is drying up Arizona rivers'," 21 July 2019 Harmful algal blooms are rare in Cleveland, though the green slime shows up each summer in the western basin of Lake Erie, ravaging the tourism industry. — Laura Johnston, cleveland.com, "How to check water quality at Cleveland beaches," 18 July 2019 Within the rocky basin of the Pacific, volcanoes and earthquakes have been causing death and destruction for millennia. — National Geographic, "THE PACIFIC’S FIERY RING," 27 June 2019 To the east, the rising sun heats the surface air in the flat basin of California’s Central Valley. — Marnie Old, Philly.com, "Great Wine Values: Wente 'Morning Fog' chardonnay," 14 June 2018 Augusta National is nestled in a hollow, from the crest at the 18th green to the basin of Rae’s Creek, just in front of the 12th green. — Stephanie Apstein, SI.com, "At Augusta, Tiger Woods Was Caught Between Being a Star and an Elder Statesman," 8 Apr. 2018 Catch basin debris is mixed with dust and other residues from Milorganite fertilizer production prior to disposal at a landfill. — Don Behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Walker's Point residents to get relief from foul odors after sewerage district opts for Jones Island filters," 12 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'basin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for basin
basin
noun
English Language Learners Definition of basin
chiefly British
: a kitchen sink
British
: a large bowl that is used for mixing, cooking, or serving food
: the amount contained in a basin
See the full definition for basin in the English Language Learners Dictionary
basin
noun
ba·sin
| \ ˈbā-sᵊn
\
\
Kids Definition of basin
1
: a wide shallow usually round dish or bowl for holding liquids
2
: the amount that a basin holds
a basin of cold water
3
: the land drained by a river and its branches
4
: a partly enclosed area of water for anchoring ships
basin
noun
ba·sin
| \ ˈbās-ᵊn
\
\
Medical Definition of basin
1
: an open usually circular vessel with sloping or curving sides used typically for holding water for washing
2
: the quantity contained in a basin
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