often attributive
1
: a line serving as a basis
especially
: one of known measure or position used (as in surveying or navigation) to calculate or locate something
2
3
: a boundary line at either end of a court (as in tennis or basketball)
4
: a usually initial set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control
5
: a starting point
the baseline of this discussion
Synonyms
Examples of baseline in a Sentence
The experiment is meant only to provide a baseline for other studies.
any year or event we use as the baseline for the Renaissance is going to be at least somewhat arbitrary
Recent Examples on the Web
But a baseline of unusual warmth will only encourage stronger storms, scientists said.
—
Scott Dance, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
The baseline study noted that the state’s annual youth risk survey found that more than 26% of Maryland high schoolers during the 2021-22 academic year had tried marijuana.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
According to data from Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, Chicago’s PM2.5 levels from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on the Fourth of July in 2021, 2022 and 2023 rose by an average of 168% compared with baseline measurements on July 1-3 and July 5-7 in those years.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2024
Like Bowman and Kashkari, New York Fed President John Williams said rate hikes aren’t part of his baseline outlook.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for baseline 
Scott Dance, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
The baseline study noted that the state’s annual youth risk survey found that more than 26% of Maryland high schoolers during the 2021-22 academic year had tried marijuana.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
According to data from Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, Chicago’s PM2.5 levels from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on the Fourth of July in 2021, 2022 and 2023 rose by an average of 168% compared with baseline measurements on July 1-3 and July 5-7 in those years.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2024
Like Bowman and Kashkari, New York Fed President John Williams said rate hikes aren’t part of his baseline outlook.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for baseline
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baseline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near baseline
Cite this Entry
“Baseline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baseline. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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Medical Definition
baseline
noun
base·line
ˈbā-ˌslīn 
: a set of critical observations or data used for comparison or a control
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