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
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 new phase expands that foundation to multi-agent systems capable of sharing information, coordinating plans, and executing missions collaboratively at scale.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025
Small habits, like putting your phone away before bed and following a steady nightly routine, can set the foundation for better sleep and better overall well-being.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025
The changes were made as scrutiny of the Hope Florida program and its nonprofit support foundation intensified over the course of the year, ultimately leading to an ongoing Leon County grand jury investigation.
—Jeffrey Schweers Orlando Sentinel, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
The 15-track project finds the cousins fully leaning into their corridos foundation, trading verses and melodies in their signature raspy delivery — but also tapping into elevated production and angelic choir arrangements between songs.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foundation
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025
Small habits, like putting your phone away before bed and following a steady nightly routine, can set the foundation for better sleep and better overall well-being.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025
The changes were made as scrutiny of the Hope Florida program and its nonprofit support foundation intensified over the course of the year, ultimately leading to an ongoing Leon County grand jury investigation.
—Jeffrey Schweers Orlando Sentinel, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
The 15-track project finds the cousins fully leaning into their corridos foundation, trading verses and melodies in their signature raspy delivery — but also tapping into elevated production and angelic choir arrangements between songs.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foundation
Cite this Entry
“Foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foundation. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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
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