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
This will lay the foundation for one day being able to scan and read all 800 scrolls discovered so far, as well as any additional scrolls that are unearthed should the remaining levels of the villa finally be excavated.
—
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Feb. 2024
More important, such a speech would lay a foundation for Americans to understand Biden’s next moves.
—Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2024
That likely isn’t enough by itself to lay the foundation for another change of leadership at PRO.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
That agreement, between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, was meant to lay the foundation for a two-state solution and establish Palestinian self-rule.
—Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
As a result, West Coast CEOs and their companies are often presented as the architects of the future, ready to lay the foundation for the next big thing at any time.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The month of practices will be critical for Lynn and first-year assistants Matt Entz (linebackers), Eric Henderson (defensive line) and Doug Belk (secondary) to lay the foundation for a long-term defensive rebuild.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Keogh said the soil work at the site has been completed, and now the company will begin to lay the foundation this summer.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 15 Feb. 2024
Read more: Best Air Purifiers; Best Robot Vacuums One of the best ways to lay the foundation for good health is through plenty of quality z’s.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 4 Oct. 2023
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Feb. 2024
More important, such a speech would lay a foundation for Americans to understand Biden’s next moves.
—Jonah Blank, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2024
That likely isn’t enough by itself to lay the foundation for another change of leadership at PRO.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
That agreement, between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, was meant to lay the foundation for a two-state solution and establish Palestinian self-rule.
—Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
As a result, West Coast CEOs and their companies are often presented as the architects of the future, ready to lay the foundation for the next big thing at any time.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
The month of practices will be critical for Lynn and first-year assistants Matt Entz (linebackers), Eric Henderson (defensive line) and Doug Belk (secondary) to lay the foundation for a long-term defensive rebuild.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024
Keogh said the soil work at the site has been completed, and now the company will begin to lay the foundation this summer.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 15 Feb. 2024
Read more: Best Air Purifiers; Best Robot Vacuums One of the best ways to lay the foundation for good health is through plenty of quality z’s.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 4 Oct. 2023
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 24 Apr. 2024.
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