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
These lay the foundation for building trust, capturing attention and driving higher response rates—at scale.
—
Samuel Darwin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
According to Morgan Stanley, nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies were founded during a recession or economic downturn—a reminder that moments of uncertainty often lay the foundation for lasting success.
—Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
The 18-song collection is a vital salute to the Southern Black String Band traditions that helped lay the foundation for country music.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025
Seventeen miles west, in a dusty industrial nook of northern Denver, workers on a recent day scattered across a huge pit dug into the earth to lay the foundation for that city’s newest data center.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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Samuel Darwin, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
According to Morgan Stanley, nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies were founded during a recession or economic downturn—a reminder that moments of uncertainty often lay the foundation for lasting success.
—Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2025
The 18-song collection is a vital salute to the Southern Black String Band traditions that helped lay the foundation for country music.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 June 2025
Seventeen miles west, in a dusty industrial nook of northern Denver, workers on a recent day scattered across a huge pit dug into the earth to lay the foundation for that city’s newest data center.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay a/the foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20a%2Fthe%20foundation. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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