In the context of a three-dimensional figure, a segment that is perpendicular to the planes containing the two bases can be described as an "altitude."
Here's why:
1. Altitude: An altitude is a segment that connects a vertex of a figure (in this case, the vertex could be a corner of the base) to the opposite base perpendicularly. It forms a right angle with the plane of the base it is perpendicular to.
By understanding this definition, you can see that an altitude is the most suitable description for a segment that is perpendicular to the planes containing the two bases of a three-dimensional figure.