Basel

[bah-zuh l] /ˈbɑ zəl/
noun
1.
a city in and the capital of Basel-Stadt, in NW Switzerland, on the Rhine River.
2.
a canton in N Switzerland, divided into two independent areas.
Also, Basle.
French Bâle.
Compare Basel-Land, Basel-Stadt.

Basel-Stadt

[bah-zuh l-shtaht] /ˈbɑ zəlˌʃtɑt/
noun
1.
a demicanton in N Switzerland: virtually coextensive with the city of Basel. 14 sq. mi. (36 sq. km).
Capital: Basel.
British Dictionary definitions for Basel

Basel

/ˈbɑːzəl/
noun
1.
a variant spelling of Basle

Basle

/bɑːl/
noun
1.
a canton of NW Switzerland, divided into the demicantons of Basle-Landschaft and Basle-Stadt. Pops.: 263 200 and 186 900 (2002 est). Areas: 427 sq km (165 sq miles) and 36 sq km (14 sq miles) respectively
2.
a city in NW Switzerland, capital of Basle canton, on the Rhine: oldest university in Switzerland. Pop: 165 000 (2002 est)
French name Bâle
Word Origin and History for Basel

city in northwestern Switzerland, founded 44 C.E. as Robur (from Latin roburetum "oak grove"); renamed 374 as Basilia (from Greek basilea "royal") when it became the "royal" fortress of Valentinian I.