foundation

noun

foun·​da·​tion fau̇n-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the act of founding

here since the foundation of the school

2

: a basis (such as a tenet, principle, or axiom) upon which something stands or is supported

the foundations of geometry

the rumor is without foundation in fact

3

a

: funds given for the permanent support of an institution : endowment

b

: an organization or institution established by endowment with provision for future maintenance

a trust administered by a foundation

4

: an underlying base or support

especially : the whole masonry substructure of a building

5

a

: a body or ground upon which something is built up or overlaid

a limestone foundation

b

: a woman's supporting undergarment

c

: a skin-colored cosmetic cream usually used as a base for other makeup

foundationless

fau̇n-ˈdā-shən-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms of foundation

• institute
• institution
• group

Examples of foundation in a Sentence

The inspector discovered a crack in the house's foundation.

The book explains the moral foundations on which her political career was built.

These problems threaten the very foundations of modern society.

The scandal has shaken the government to its foundations.

They established a foundation to help orphaned children.

Recent Examples on the Web

This process enables a stronger foundation of vetting for the final nominations that a country draws up. — Karina Acharya, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026

Marc Short, chairman of Advancing American Freedom and onetime chief of staff to former Vice President Mike Pence, told CNBC on Tuesday afternoon that the GOP has moved away from its conservative foundations. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026

As the twentieth century dispersed Russia’s literati, some left this nostalgic concept behind, while others trailed its shadow with them into exile, burying themselves in the great Russian novels that had formed its foundation. — Madeleine Wulfahrt, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026

Although the initial deployment will focus on 5G, Qualcomm said the platforms offer an adaptable foundation for future connectivity technologies and more intelligent network operations. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fundacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French fundacion, borrowed from Latin fundātiōn-, fundātiō, from fundāre "to found entry 4" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foundation

• foundation stone
• lay a/the foundation
• lay the groundwork/foundation

Rhymes for foundation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

foundation

noun

foun·​da·​tion fau̇n-ˈdā-shən 

1

: the act of founding

2

: the support upon which something rests

a house with a cinder-block foundation

suspicions with no foundation in fact

3

: funds given for the permanent support of an institution

also : an institution supported by such funds

foundational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

foundation

noun

foun·​da·​tion

1

: a basis upon which something stands or is supported

specifically : a witness's preliminary testimony given to identify or explain evidence being offered at trial and establish its connection to the issue for which it is offered

the lack of any foundation for the orthopedic surgeon's familiarity with the…standard of care rendered the surgeon's opinion testimony inadmissible

—National Law Journal

Note: Before evidence can be admitted at trial, the foundation for it must be laid by the party offering it. A foundation must also be laid for the qualification of a witness as an expert, or for the assertion of a privilege.

2

a

: funds given for the permanent support of an institution : endowment

b

: an organization or institution established by endowment with provision for future maintenance

foundational adjective