foundation

noun

foun·​da·​tion fau̇n-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce foundation (audio)
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 : corset
c
: a cosmetic usually used as a base for makeup
foundationless adjective

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 Working together to make certain progress keep moving forward, building on a foundation that has proven to be solid and an environment that is conducive for growth and development. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2024 According to Marcum, the foundation is prioritizing personal development and well-being. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024 Russell's foundation donates $100k for Algonquin Park upgrades George Clooney George Clooney might be seen around the world with his wife Amal, but his beginnings are right here in Kentucky. The Courier-Journal, 20 Apr. 2024 Any cracks in the fiscal foundation, in either Eugene or Seattle, could make the transition exponentially more daunting, especially in the immensely competitive world of Big Ten football. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024 The Armani foundation is already overseen by some of those people, and Armani views that group as the one that will determine the future of the overall company. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024 More than $11,000 in attorney fees also will be covered by the defendants, for a total settlement of $83,000, according to the foundation. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 19 Apr. 2024 One of his missions is to help bridge the gap between academia and industry, not unlike the U.S. foundation. Jane Lanhee Lee / Bloomberg, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024 The airport was extended when the bunker was built, using dirt dug from the enormous foundation hole. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foundation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of foundation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near foundation

Cite this Entry

“Foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foundation. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

foundation

noun
foun·​da·​tion fau̇n-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce foundation (audio)
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 How to pronounce foundation (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on foundation

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