great basin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Academic/Geographic/Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “great basin” mean?
A large, arid region in the western United States, characterized by internal drainage where water flows into saline lakes or sinks rather than reaching the ocean.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, arid region in the western United States, characterized by internal drainage where water flows into saline lakes or sinks rather than reaching the ocean.
The term primarily functions as a proper noun for the specific geographic region but can be used more generally to refer to similar geomorphological features or the cultural and ecological zone associated with the area.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is geographic and understood in both varieties. Americans are far more likely to encounter it in education, media, or travel contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of a dry, rugged, sparsely populated, and historically significant region of the American West.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday British English unless discussing North American geography or geology. Common in relevant American academic, environmental, and regional discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “great basin” in a Sentence
the Great Basin of [the United States/Nevada]in/within the Great Basinthroughout the Great BasinVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great basin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- The expedition studied Great Basin geology.
- They documented a Great Basin rattlesnake.
American English
- The report focused on Great Basin water rights.
- We saw classic Great Basin topography.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in industries like mining, renewable energy, or tourism specific to the region (e.g., 'Great Basin solar project').
Academic
Frequent in geography, geology, ecology, anthropology, and history papers describing the physical and cultural characteristics of the area.
Everyday
Low frequency. Used when discussing travel, US geography, or documentaries about the American West.
Technical
Core term in physical geography and hydrology to describe an endorheic (closed) drainage basin. Also used in archaeology and botany.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great basin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great basin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great basin”
- Using lowercase ('great basin').
- Using 'the' incorrectly (it's usually 'the Great Basin').
- Confusing it with the Great Lakes region or other basins.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while it contains the Great Basin Desert, the region encompasses a variety of ecosystems, including mountain ranges, valleys, and ancient lake beds.
It is a topographic basin, meaning it is a low-lying area surrounded by higher land. The 'basin' refers to the landform, not a current body of water.
Yes, but population density is low. Major cities like Reno and Salt Lake City are on its periphery, and smaller settlements exist within it.
Almost never. It functions almost exclusively as a proper noun. The phrase 'a great basin' would be interpreted as a large bowl or geographical basin that is impressive.
A large, arid region in the western United States, characterized by internal drainage where water flows into saline lakes or sinks rather than reaching the ocean.
Great basin is usually academic/geographic/technical/formal in register.
Great basin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈbeɪs(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈbeɪs(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none specific to this term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A GREATly large BASIN in the US that doesn't drain to the sea — it's a bathtub with no plug hole.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER (a bounded geographic region holding specific ecological and cultural features).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining hydrological characteristic of the Great Basin?