base

1 /beIs/ verb (T) to establish or use somewhere as the main place for your business or work: a Denver-based law firm base sth on/upon sth phrasal verb (transitive often passive) to use particular information or facts as a point from which to develop an idea, plan etc: The film is based on a novel by Sinclair Lewis. 2 noun

1 LOWEST PART (countable usually singular) the lowest part of something, or the surface at the bottom of something

(+ of): There was a chip in the base of the glass. | the base of a triangle | Waves crashed and pounded at the base of the cliff.

2 KNOWLEDGE/IDEAS (U) the most important part of something from which new ideas develop: India has a good scientific research base. | This provides a good base for the development of new techniques.

3 COMPANY/ORGANIZATION (C, U) the main place from which a group, company, or organization controls its activities: Cuba was seen as a base for Communist activity throughout Latin America. | Report back to base as soon as you see anything.

4 MILITARY (C) a place where people in a military organization live and work: a naval base

5 PEOPLE/GROUPS (countable usually singular) the people, money, groups etc from which a lot of support or power comes: an attempt to strengthen the city's economic base | tax/customer base (=all the people who pay tax or buy goods in a particular place): A reputation for excellent service will expand our customer base. | manufacturing base (=all the factories, companies etc that produce goods in a country): The country's manufacturing base has shrunk by 20% during the recession.

-see also: power base

6 SUBSTANCE/MIXTURE (singular, uncountable) the main part of a substance to which something else is later added: paint with an oil base

7 BODY/PLANT (countable usually singular) the point where part of your body or part of a plant joins with the rest: She had a dull ache at the base of her neck.

8 SPORT (C) one of the four places that a player must touch in order to get a point in games such as baseball

9 be off base AmE informal to be completely wrong: His estimate for painting the kitchen seems way off base.

10 CHEMISTRY (C) technical a chemical substance that combines with an acid to form a salt 1 (3)

11 NUMBERS (countable usually singular) technical the number in relation to which a number system or mathematical table is built up

12 touch base (with sb) to telephone someone who you live or work with, or make a short visit, while you are spending time somewhere else

-see also: cover (all) the bases cover 1 (13) 3 adjective literary not having good moral principles: base passions -see also: base metal