bass

Pronunciation

noun 1

• enPR: bās
• IPA ^(key): /beɪs/
• SAMPA: /beIs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (US)

  (file)

noun 2

• enPR: băs
• IPA ^(key): /bæs/
• SAMPA: /b{s/

Homophones

noun 1

• base

Noun 1

Singular bass

Plural basses

1. (singular) The bass is a sound that is generally lower in tone.
2. (countable) A bass is a male voice that is lower than tenor and baritone.

   Paul Robeson sang "Old Man River" in a deep bass voice.

3. (countable) A bass is a musical instrument that produces low sounds.
   • Synonym: contrabass

   The bass played harmony while the trumpet played melody.

4. (countable) A bass is the lower of two musical clefs. It is centered at the F below middle C.

   All the notes in the bass clef were played with the left hand.

• 
  A man playing a bass
• 
  A bass clef
• 
  A bass guitar
• 
  A bass drum
• 
  A bass clarinet

Noun 2

Singular bass

Plural bass or basses

1. (countable) A bass is a type of fish, similar to the perch.

   Chris caught five wide-mouthed bass on his fishing trip in Tennessee.