1 a wide shallow open container, esp. a fixed one for holding water.
2 a hollow rounded depression.
3 any sheltered area of water where boats can moor safely.
4 a round valley.
5 an area drained by rivers and tributaries.
6 Geol. a a rock formation where the strata dip towards the centre. b an accumulation of rock strata formed in this dip as a result of subsidence and sedimentation.
Derivatives:
basinful n. (pl. -fuls).
Etymology: ME f. OF bacin f. med.L ba(s)cinus, perh. f. Gaulish
Useful english dictionary. 2012.