based

[ beyst ]

adjective

1. having a specified object or material as its base or foundation or as its primary constituent (often used in combination):

   Our house was one of the three stone-based houses of that era, built by my maternal grandfather.

2. established, grounded, or focused on a specified principle or belief, fact, method, etc. (often used in combination):

   It’s a culturally based phys ed curriculum that uses Indian traditions and values to teach healthy lifestyle habits.

   There are a number of promising evidence-based treatment modalities to address depression.

3. having a specified place as its primary location or headquarters; stationed or situated (often used in combination):

   A centrally based Houston media agency is looking for a Digital Account Manager to help with a key communications client.

   The Chicago-based HIV/AIDS organization provides housing, healthcare, and substance abuse programs for its clients.

4. having a specified origin or source (often used in combination):

   They want to replace animal-based foods with plant-based milks and vegetable protein.

5. Slang. true to one’s self or secure in one’s beliefs regardless of what others think, especially when those beliefs fall outside of the mainstream:

   Her presentation was so based—did you see the teacher's expression? Priceless!

interjection

, Slang.

1. (used to express approval or respect, especially in response to a social media post):

   Based. At least somebody shows some spine on this forum.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of base ¹( def ).

Other Words From

• un·based adjective
• well-based adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of based¹

First recorded in 1610–20; base ¹( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

It's based on the way cellular states including metabolism can be controlled by modulating the activities of enzymes.

From Science Daily

A celebrity favorite, each bottle of L.A.-based Rōz Hair Foundation Mask comes with a handy key for getting the last little bit of product out.

From Los Angeles Times

Next, they attributed these to ancient taxa based on their size, shape, and contents.

From Science Magazine

Such studies “made important points about the NIH’s funded research portfolio based on very careful analysis of the data,” says economist Donna Ginther of the University of Kansas.

From Science Magazine

“That’s not only plausible but likely based on what we know so far.”

From Salon