plural bass or basses
: any of numerous edible marine or freshwater bony fishes (especially families Centrarchidae, Serranidae, and Percichthyidae of the order Perciformes)
1
: deep or grave in tone
2
a
: of low pitch
b
: relating to or having the range or part of a bass
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
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
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Then there’s always gonna be some kind of whole fish, for the adventuresome, and that’s often called bass.
—Noah Galuten, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Alabama bass are smaller than largemouth bass on average, officials said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2025
The electronics against a mini orchestra—bass, flute, sax, clarinet, percussion—evoke a full, underwater soundscape, like you’re submerged in a comforting dream, or another life.
—Kate Branch, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bass
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Noun
The original lineup was Lowery (lead guitar), Dillon (guitar and bass), Darby Tillis (vocals and bass), Antoine Day (vocals and drums), and Raymond Towler (guitars and keys).
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
Then there’s always gonna be some kind of whole fish, for the adventuresome, and that’s often called bass.
—Noah Galuten, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Alabama bass are smaller than largemouth bass on average, officials said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2025
The electronics against a mini orchestra—bass, flute, sax, clarinet, percussion—evoke a full, underwater soundscape, like you’re submerged in a comforting dream, or another life.
—Kate Branch, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bass
Cite this Entry
“Bass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bass. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 noun1
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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