Save Type Island & Political Subdivision Usage Filipino, Tausug, Cebuano, Tagalog, English Pronounced Pron. /ba.ˈsi.lan/(Tagalog) [key·simplify] Meaning & History Probably from Tausug basi'-lan meaning "iron way, iron road" or basi'-balan meaning "magnetic iron". This is the name of an island province of the Philippines.