English · Daily Life

basement

/ˈbeɪs.mənt/

[/ˈbeɪs.mənt/]

underground floor

Intermediatenoun

Definition

A floor of a building that is partly or completely below ground level.

Example

They converted the damp basement into a cosy home cinema with thick carpets and soft lighting.

They converted the damp basement into a cosy home cinema with thick carpets and soft lighting.

Etymology

From 'base' plus the suffix '-ment', first recorded in the early 18th century.

How & Where It’s Used

Common in houses for storage or extra rooms; also figurative in 'bargain basement'.

Watch “underground floor” pronunciation on YouTube
homebuilding