View synonyms for basin

basin

[ bey-suhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a circular container with a greater width than depth, becoming smaller toward the bottom, used chiefly to hold water or other liquid, especially for washing.
any container of similar shape, as the pan of a balance.
the quantity held by such a container:
We need another basin of water to dilute the mixture.
a natural or artificial hollow place containing water.
a partially enclosed, sheltered area along a shore, often partly man-made or dredged to a greater depth, where boats may be moored:
a yacht basin.
Geology. an area in which the strata dip from the margins toward a common center.
Physical Geography.
1. a hollow or depression in the earth's surface, wholly or partly surrounded by higher land:
  river basin.
2. drainage basin.
Botany. the depression in an apple, pear, or other pome at the end opposite the stem.

basin

/ ˈbeɪsən /

noun

a round container open and wide at the top with sides sloping inwards towards the bottom or base, esp one in which liquids are mixed or stored
Also calledbasinful the amount a basin will hold
a washbasin or sink
any partially enclosed or sheltered area where vessels may be moored or docked
the catchment area of a particular river and its tributaries or of a lake or sea
a depression in the earth's surface
geology a part of the earth's surface consisting of rock strata that slope down to a common centre

basin

/ bā′sĭn /

A region drained by a river and its tributaries.
A low-lying area on the Earth's surface in which thick layers of sediment have accumulated. Some basins are bowl-shaped while others are elongate. Basins form through tectonic processes, especially in fault-bordered intermontane areas or in areas where the Earth's crust has warped downwards. They are often a source of valuable oil.
An artificially enclosed area of a river or harbor designed so that the water level remains unaffected by tidal changes.

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Other Words From

basin·al adjective
basined adjective
basin·like adjective
inter·basin adjective
subbasin noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of basin¹

1175–1225; Middle English bacin < Old French < Late Latin bac ( c ) īnum ( bacc ( a ) water vessel, back ³ + -īnum -ine ¹ ); perhaps further related in Latin to beaker

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Word History and Origins

Origin of basin¹

C13: from Old French bacin , from Late Latin bacchīnon , from Vulgar Latin bacca (unattested) container for water; related to Latin bāca berry

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