bassin

Bassin is a term with several related meanings in geography, hydrology, landscaping, and anatomy. In geography, a basin, or drainage basin, is a natural depression on the Earth's surface where water from precipitation and streams collects and drains toward a common outlet. The boundary of a basin is the watershed or divide that separates neighboring basins. Basins can be large, such as river basins that cover thousands of square kilometers, or small, such as catch basins in urban drainage systems.

Artificial basins are constructed water bodies used for storage, flood control, irrigation, or hydroelectric power. They can be reservoirs, retention basins, or settling ponds. In landscaping and architecture, a basin or bassin refers to a shallow decorative pool, often integrated into gardens, plazas, or parks; it may be lined with stone and feature edging, plants, or fountains.

In anatomy, le bassin denotes the pelvis, the bony ring at the base of the spine formed by the two hip bones, the sacrum, and coccyx. It provides support for the upper body and contains lower abdominal and reproductive organs. The term is also used in specialized contexts to describe basin-shaped receptacles or areas in agriculture, aquaculture, or civil engineering, where basins help manage water flow, sediment, or wastewater. The word is widely used in French-speaking regions and in technical writings as a general descriptor for similar shapes or functions.