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 : corset

c

: a cosmetic usually used as a base for makeup

foundationless

fau̇n-ˈdā-shən-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms

• establishment
• institute
• institution

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

The wife of a wealthy Spanish banker, Beatriz volunteers with the Concert Circle, a cultural foundation that hosts monthly recitals in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023

The world is less stable today than in February 2022, the enemies of the order hammer away, the institutional foundations of the order look increasingly shaky, and Western leaders don’t yet seem to grasp the immensity of the task before them. —Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 25 Sep. 2023

Here is my optimal lineup for Sunday’s $3.5 million Fantasy Football Millionaire contest, but it can be utilized as a foundation in other games and platforms. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2023

Chencho laid the foundation for his solo career with Plan B. —Griselda Flores, Billboard, 22 Sep. 2023

Every year, Allure editors embark on a mission to find the year’s best products, from foundations and face masks to press-ons and peels. —Annie Blay, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023

This not only nourishes the scalp and strands, but acts as a priming foundation to ensure that lasting dewy-hair finishes. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Sep. 2023

At every point of the compass, Beijing is laying the foundations of its new international order and shaping places and institutions outside its borders in its image. —Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023

However, the work laid the foundation of skills that would prove beneficial in her new role as the artistic director of LAB. —Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023

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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

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

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

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