1. forming or belonging to a base or foundation; fundamental
2. located at or forming the base of something
3. relating to the minimum level of activity needed to maintain basic bodily functions
Usage: medical; biology

Examples

• The basal layer of the skin contains stem cells.
• Students must master basal reading skills before advancing.
• The doctor measured her basal metabolic rate.
• Basal ganglia are important brain structures for movement.
• The plant’s basal leaves grow close to the ground.
• He needed to learn basal math concepts first.
• The basal temperature drops during sleep.