basis

noun

A starting point, base or foundation for an argument or hypothesis.

An underlying condition or circumstance.

A physical base or foundation.

A regular frequency.

(agriculture, trading) The difference between the cash price a dealer pays to a farmer for his produce and an agreed reference price, which is usually the futures price at which the given crop is trading at a commodity exchange.

(accounting) Amount paid for an investment, including commissions and other expenses.

(linear algebra) In a vector space, a linearly independent set of vectors spanning the whole vector space.

(topology) A collection of subsets ("basis elements") of a set, such that this collection covers the set, and for any two basis elements which both contain an element of the set, there is a third basis element contained in the intersection of the first two, which also contains that element.

Roots

baineinbas- · Greek · to step, go, walk

Synonyms for basis

fundamentn basen groundworkn foundationn footingn underpinningv groundn fundamentaladj principlen understructuren presuppositionn justificationn supposaln

Synonyms & related words for basis

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of basis — including fundament, base, groundwork, foundation, footing, underpinning. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to basis

Explore words related to basis — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include cornerstone, premised, rationale, foundational, underlying, basic, purely, assumptions. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for basis

Common synonyms for basis include fundament, base, groundwork, foundation, footing, underpinning, ground, fundamental — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does basis come from?

The word basis breaks down into one root of Greek origin: the root bas-, from Greek bainein (“to step, go, walk”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.