plural founders
: a person who creates or establishes something that is meant to last for a long time (such as a business or school) : a person who founds something
the founder of a newspaper empire
He's the son of the company's founder.
founders; foundered; foundering
1
: to experience failure : to be unsuccessful : fail
Her career foundered, and she moved from job to job for several years.
Their marriage is foundering.
trying to save a foundering career/marriage
2
of a boat or ship
: to fill with water and sink
a foundering ship
Cite this Entry
“Founder.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/founder. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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