First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
basin
noun ba·sin \ˈbā-sən\
: a kitchen sink
: a large bowl that is used for mixing, cooking, or serving food
: the amount contained in a basin
Full Definition of BASIN
1
a : an open usually circular vessel with sloping or curving sides used typically for holding water for washing b chiefly British : a bowl used especially in cooking c : the quantity contained in a basin
2
a : a dock built in a tidal river or harbor b : an enclosed or partly enclosed water area
3
a : a large or small depression in the surface of the land or in the ocean floor b : the entire tract of country drained by a river and its tributaries c : a great depression in the surface of the lithosphere occupied by an ocean
4
: a broad area of the earth beneath which the strata dip usually from the sides toward the center
— ba·sin·al \-sən-əl\ adjective
— ba·sined \-sənd\ adjective
— ba·sin·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun
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Origin of BASIN
Middle English, from Anglo-French bacin, from Late Latin bacchinon
Other Geology Terms
BASIN Defined for Kids
basin
noun ba·sin \ˈbā-sən\
Definition of BASIN for Kids
1
: a wide shallow usually round dish or bowl for holding liquids
2
: the amount that a basin holds <a basin of cold water>
3
: the land drained by a river and its branches
4
: a partly enclosed area of water for anchoring ships
Medical Dictionary
basin
noun ba·sin \ˈbās-ən\
Medical Definition of BASIN
1
: an open usually circular vessel with sloping or curving sides used typically for holding water for washing
2
: the quantity contained in a basin
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