A basin can have several meanings depending on the context:
- Geographically or hydrologically, a basin (often called a drainage basin, catchment area, or watershed) is an area of land where all surface water converges to a single point such as a river mouth, lake, or ocean. It is bounded by natural divisions called drainage divides or watershed boundaries. Some basins are closed and do not drain into the ocean but into inland sinks or lakes, called endorheic basins.
- Geologically, a basin is a broad, shallow depression or trough in the Earth's bedrock or surface. It may be filled with sediments or water and does not necessarily correspond to a river drainage basin. Examples include structural and sedimentary basins.
- In everyday use, a basin can be a container with a bowl-like shape used for holding water, commonly found in homes as a wash basin or sink for washing hands or dishes.
In summary, a basin can be an area of land draining water to a common outlet, a geological depression, or a bowl-shaped container for holding water.
