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
The abrupt shift in the Court’s ideological make-up in 1969, however, allowed the right to lay the foundation for the long-term transformation of the judicial body into a conservative stronghold.
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Michael Bobelian, TIME, 7 Oct. 2024
Achieving this will lay the foundation for a robust global sponsorship strategy and create lasting value for all involved.
—Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
That serendipitous pitch would lay the foundation for the show, allowing the characters to casually drop in and out of one another’s apartments.
—Thea Glassman, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2024
Short, meaningful conversations in formal as well as informal settings lay the foundation for deeper discussions and open doors to new opportunities and collaborations while—most importantly—building trust and allowing a business relationship to develop further.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation 
Michael Bobelian, TIME, 7 Oct. 2024
Achieving this will lay the foundation for a robust global sponsorship strategy and create lasting value for all involved.
—Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
That serendipitous pitch would lay the foundation for the show, allowing the characters to casually drop in and out of one another’s apartments.
—Thea Glassman, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2024
Short, meaningful conversations in formal as well as informal settings lay the foundation for deeper discussions and open doors to new opportunities and collaborations while—most importantly—building trust and allowing a business relationship to develop further.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 Sep. 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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“Lay a/the foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20a%2Fthe%20foundation. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
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