bass

1 of 4

noun (1)

plural bass or basses
: any of numerous edible marine or freshwater bony fishes (especially families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae of the order Perciformes)

bass

2 of 4

adjective

1
: deep or grave in tone
2
a
: of low pitch
b
: relating to or having the range or part of a bass

bass

3 of 4

noun (2)

1
a
: the lowest voice part in a 4-part chorus
b
: the lower half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range compare treble entry 1
c
: the lowest adult male singing voice
also : a person having this voice
d
: a member of a family of instruments having the lowest range
especially : double bass
2
: a deep or grave tone : a low-pitched sound

bass

4 of 4

noun (3)

1
2
: a coarse tough fiber from palms

Examples of bass in a Sentence

Adjective the sound of the bass drum a man with an impressive bass voice
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Andy played electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums, percussion, keyboards, harmonica, and provided backing vocals. Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024 The audio is also a major upgrade, with richer sound, double the bass, and adaptive room technology to improve your listening experience. Paul Lamkin, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Rimes built the demo as the writing session progressed, adding programmed drums and bass around his guitar parts. Tom Roland, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024 The bass creates a presence that brings players into the games. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 18 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bass 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English base, bærs, from Old English bærs; akin to Old High German bersich perch

Adjective

Middle English bas base — more at base entry 3

Noun (2)

Middle English bas, noun derivative of bas base entry 2

Noun (3)

alteration of bast

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (3)

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bass was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bass

Cite this Entry

“Bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bass. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bass

1 of 2 noun
plural bass or basses
: any of various spiny-finned freshwater or saltwater sport and food fishes

bass

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the lowest musical part in harmony for four parts compare alto sense 1b, soprano entry 2 sense 1, tenor sense 2a
b
: the lower half of a musical tone range compare treble
2
a
: the lowest male singing voice or a person who has this voice
b
: a person or instrument performing the bass part
bass adjective
Etymology

Noun

Old English bærs "bass"

Noun

Middle English bas (adjective) "being or having a low solemn tone"

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