1
a
: the underside of something
at the bottom of the box
a cut on the bottom of her foot
The vase is signed on the bottom.
b
: a surface (such as the seat of a chair) designed to support something resting on it
—used figuratively in phrases like the bottom dropped out to describe a sudden collapse or downturn
lost millions when the bottom dropped out of the stock market
2
: the surface on which a body of water lies
sank to the bottom of the ocean
3
4
a
: the lowest part or place
the bottom of the page
stood at the bottom of the stairs
b
: the remotest or inmost point
sail to the bottom of the bay
c
: the lowest or last place in rank or position
The CEO started at the bottom and worked her way up.
graduated at the bottom of the class
the bottom of the pay scale
d
clothing
: the part of a garment worn on the lower part of the body
white tops and navy blue bottoms
a bikini bottom
especially
: the pants of pajamas
—usually used in plural
e
baseball
: the last half of an inning
the bottom of the ninth
f
music
: the bass or baritone instruments of a band
5
geography
: bottomland
—usually used in plural
the Mississippi river bottoms
7
: capacity (as of a horse) to endure strain
a breed of dogs outstanding for bottom
8
textiles
: a foundation color applied to fibers before dyeing
9
physics
: a fundamental quark that accounts for the existence and lifetime of upsilon particles and has an electric charge of −⅓ and a measured energy of approximately 5 GeV
also
: the flavor (see flavor entry 1 sense 4b) characterizing this particle
see also:
bottomed; bottoming; bottoms
1
: to furnish (something, such as a chair) with a bottom
2
: to provide a foundation for
… men who wanted to bottom the dreams of the Romantics …—Bonamy Dobrée
3
: to bring to the bottom
bottomed the submarine on the ocean floor
4
: to find the basis or source of (something, such as a rumor) : to get to the bottom (see bottom entry 1 sense 6) of
The mystery hasn't been bottomed.
1
: to become based or grounded
… find on what foundation any proposition bottoms …—John Locke
2
: to reach the bottom
bottoming on the sea floor
3
: to reach a point where a decline is halted or reversed
—usually used with out
The team bottomed out in last place.
bottomer
noun
1
: of, relating to, or situated at the bottom (see bottom entry 1)
bottom rock
2
: frequenting the lowest part or place : frequenting the bottom
bottom fish
bot·tom·er
ˈbä-tə-mər
plural -s
: one that bottoms: such as
a
: a worker who finishes the bottom part of shoes preparatory to stitching or cementing on the outsoles
b
: a worker who nails bottoms to wooden box frames or makes the bottoms of other containers
c
: a worker stationed at the bottom of a mine shaft or haulage slope to direct the raising of loaded cars to the surface
called also footman, foot tender
Cite this Entry
“Bottom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bottom. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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