Sapling Logo

“Bases” or “Basses”

bases / basses are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

bases b·EY·s·ah·z

  • nouninstallation from which a military force initiates operations.
  • nouna place that the runner must touch before scoring.
  • nounthe bottom or lowest part.
  • noun(anatomy) the part of an organ nearest its point of attachment.
  • nouna support or foundation.
  • nounany of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water.
  • nounthe bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructed.
  • noun(numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place.
  • nounthe place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end.
  • nounthe principal ingredient of a mixture.
  • nouna flat bottom on which something is intended to sit.
  • noun(electronics) the part of a transistor that separates the emitter from the collector.
  • verbsituate as a center of operations.

basses b·AE·s·ih·z

  • nounthe lowest part of the musical range.
  • nounthe lowest part in polyphonic music.
  • nounan adult male singer with the lowest voice.
  • nounthe lowest adult male singing voice.
  • nounthe member with the lowest range of a family of musical instruments.
  • nounnontechnical name for any of numerous edible marine and freshwater spiny-finned fishes.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“bases”

  • Two air bases are located near the city,
  • and those back at their bases in Estonia could only guess
  • clasp the stem at their bases.
  • and finished second in stolen bases to Luis Aparicio.
  • Category:Royal Navy bases in England
  • US bases
  • of the key US military bases in the region.
  • who already had their strong bases among the plantation workers, urban
  • Category:Royal Navy bases outside the United Kingdom
  • Bases

“basses”

  • Factor 4 and 5 string basses as well as other prototypes.
  • orders making custom Ex Factor basses with deluxe wood veneers.
  • fondness for divided cellos and basses in dense, low chords, but
  • (1997) Electric guitars and basses: A photographic history.
  • Factor basses are made in America and
  • Category:American basses
  • Category:Operatic basses
  • be one of the greatest basses in Yugoslav history.
  • [1997]; 2 cellos, 2 double basses, 2 pianos; 9'
  • double basses

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

Too much to remember?

Looking for a tool that handles this for you wherever you write?