French Basin

Meanings

1. 1proper nounpropertechnical

   A named large low area of land in France, especially the wide sedimentary basin around Paris drained by the Seine.

   Grammar: Capitalize both words and usually keep 'the' before it: the French Basin.

   Patterns

   • the French Basin
   • in the French Basin

   Geologists study the thick layers of rock under the French Basin.

   The French Basin covers a broad, gently sloping region in the north of the country.

   Rivers in the French Basin drain slowly toward the sea.

2. 2proper nounpropertechnical

   Any large bowl-shaped area of land or sea floor lying off the coast of France.

   Grammar: Used mainly in scientific writing; the exact location is usually made clear by context.

   Patterns

   • the French Basin

   The survey mapped a deep French Basin in the bay.

   Sediment collected in the French Basin over millions of years.

Common combinations

the Paris Basin

The Paris Basin is the best-known part of the French Basin.

sedimentary basin

A sedimentary basin like the French Basin fills with sand and clay over time.

drainage basin

The drainage basin of the Seine lies within the French Basin.

basin floor

The basin floor here is flat and low.

Synonyms and how they differ

lowland

Use 'lowland' for any low, flat area; it does not name a specific region the way 'French Basin' does.

depression

In geology, 'depression' means a sunken area of land; it is more general and not tied to France.

Opposites

Word family

basin noun

A bowl for washing, or a wide hollow area of land.

basinful noun

As much as a basin can hold.

Commonly confused: French Basin or basin? French Basin or France?

Practice

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