lay a/the foundation
idiom
1
: to create a usually stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath
2
: to provide something (such as an idea, a principle, or a fact) from which another thing develops or can develop
Her early research laid the foundation for many important medical discoveries.
Examples of lay a/the foundation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With a color specialist’s time usually being the biggest variable cost on a project, this is an opportunity for designers to lay the foundation for an efficient (and cost-effective) partnership.
—
Emily Evans Eerdmans, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2024
Leading auto manufacturers, for example, have developed in-depth scenarios around autonomous driving that lay the foundation for creating proprietary strategies in the long term while identifying options should autonomous vehicles take hold sooner than anticipated.
—Dunigan O’Keeffe, Harris,
austin Kimson, Harvard Business Review, 17 Apr. 2024
Together, the Lijadu Sisters helped lay the foundation for African music’s global resonance today.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2024
Both said their work during the pandemic helped lay a foundation to weather this slowdown.
—Davis Giangiulio, NBC News, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation 
Emily Evans Eerdmans, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2024
Leading auto manufacturers, for example, have developed in-depth scenarios around autonomous driving that lay the foundation for creating proprietary strategies in the long term while identifying options should autonomous vehicles take hold sooner than anticipated.
—Dunigan O’Keeffe, Harris,
austin Kimson, Harvard Business Review, 17 Apr. 2024
Together, the Lijadu Sisters helped lay the foundation for African music’s global resonance today.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2024
Both said their work during the pandemic helped lay a foundation to weather this slowdown.
—Davis Giangiulio, NBC News, 4 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lay a/the foundation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lay a/the foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20a%2Fthe%20foundation. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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