Basque

American  

[bask] / bæsk /

noun

1. one of a people of unknown origin inhabiting the western Pyrenees regions in France and Spain.

2. their language, not known to be related to any other language.

3. (lowercase) a close-fitting bodice, sometimes having an extension that covers the hips.

4. (lowercase) the extension of this bodice or of a doublet.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to the Basques or their language.

Basque ¹ British  

/ bæsk, bɑːsk /

noun

1. a member of a people of unknown origin living around the W Pyrenees in France and Spain

2. the language of this people, of no known relationship with any other language

---

adjective

1. relating to, denoting, or characteristic of this people or their language

basque ² British  

/ bɑːsk, bæsk /

noun

1. a short extension below the waist to the bodice of a woman's jacket, etc

2. a tight-fitting bodice for women

---

Etymology

Origin of Basque¹

C19: from French, from Latin Vascō a Basque

Origin of basque²

C19: perhaps from _Basque

Example Sentences

"Gabi gave everything, even in training. He had to win. Mikel was calmer. But you knew not to rub him up the wrong way. He had that tough Basque edge."

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

They crept across the border and Spain met them as berlinas by the mid-20th century, mostly in quiet corners of Catalonia and the Basque country.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

The Basque manager rotated his pack heavily, to the chagrin of players like Vinicius Junior, who was benched on several occasions and hauled off early on others.

From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026

Listen to Blade Bird: The album's swooning climax, based on a Basque poem about the tension between love and possession.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

We came over the mountains and out of Spain and down the white roads and through the overfoliaged, wet, green, Basque country, and finally into Bayonne.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway