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 premiere picks up some time after where the first season left off, with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) now a key player in Luthen Rael’s (Stellan Skarsgård) spy ring, carrying out missions to disrupt the Empire and lay the foundation for what will become the Rebel Alliance.
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Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Trust plays a big factor: Leaders who trust their teams to make decisions and contribute innovative ideas lay the foundation for a highly collaborative culture.
—Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Trinidad is churning out soca hits that will hopefully lay the foundation for future bouyon crossover hits from St. Lucia and Dominica.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2025
The mission is the latest uncrewed lunar venture that is meant to lay the foundation for astronauts to return to the moon and set up a long-term lunar settlement on the south pole.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Trust plays a big factor: Leaders who trust their teams to make decisions and contribute innovative ideas lay the foundation for a highly collaborative culture.
—Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Trinidad is churning out soca hits that will hopefully lay the foundation for future bouyon crossover hits from St. Lucia and Dominica.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2025
The mission is the latest uncrewed lunar venture that is meant to lay the foundation for astronauts to return to the moon and set up a long-term lunar settlement on the south pole.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 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 May. 2025.
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