basin Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
- she mixed the dough in a large basin
noun the quantity that a basin will hold
basinful.
- a basinful of water
noun a natural depression in the surface of the land often with a lake at the bottom of it
- the basin of the Great Salt Lake
noun the entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries; an area characterized by all runoff being conveyed to the same outlet
catchment basin; watershed; catchment area; river basin; drainage area; drainage basin.
- flood control in the Missouri basin
noun a bathroom sink that is permanently installed and connected to a water supply and drainpipe; where you can wash your hands and face
washbasin; lavatory; washstand; washbowl.
- he ran some water in the basin and splashed it on his face

OF. bacin, F. bassin, LL. bacchinus, fr. bacca a water vessel, fr. L. bacca berry, in allusion to the round shape; or perh. fr. Celtic. Cf. Bac.

A hollow vessel or dish, to hold water for washing, and for various other uses.
The quantity contained in a basin.
A hollow vessel, of various forms and materials, used in the arts or manufactures, as that used by glass grinders for forming concave glasses, by hatters for molding a hat into shape, etc.
A hollow place containing water, as a pond, a dock for ships, a little bay.
(Physical Geog.) (a) A circular or oval valley, or depression of the surface of the ground, the lowest part of which is generally occupied by a lake, or traversed by a river. (b) The entire tract of country drained by a river, or sloping towards a sea or lake.
(Geol.) An isolated or circumscribed formation, particularly where the strata dip inward, on all sides, toward a center; -- especially applied to the coal formations, called coal basins or coal fields.