base unit

noun — 2 senses

base unit

noun
1

A unit of measurement which is not itself defined in terms of other units, and from which other units may be derived.

  • The SI unit of velocity is metres per second, derived from the base units metre and second.
2

The main unit of a computer or hi-fi system.

  • When upgrading her computer she bought a new base unit but kept the screen, keyboard and mouse.
Antonyms
derived unit

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.