The word bass has two completely different meanings that sound alike but come from different origins:

1. A type of fish that lives in both freshwater and saltwater. Bass are popular with people who fish for sport because they fight hard when hooked. A largemouth bass might lurk near underwater logs in a lake, waiting to ambush smaller fish. Striped bass swim in ocean waters along the coast. When someone says they caught a bass, they usually mean one of several related species known for being challenging and fun to catch.
2. The lowest range of musical sounds or the instruments that produce them. A bass guitar provides the deep, rumbling foundation in a rock band, while an upright bass (also called a double bass) stands taller than most players and produces rich, low notes in orchestras and jazz groups. A singer with a bass voice can hit those impressively low notes that seem to resonate in your chest. When you turn up the bass on your music player, you're making those deep, thumping sounds louder. The bass line in a song is the pattern of low notes that gives the music its groove and helps you feel the rhythm.