foundation

[ foun-dey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the basis or groundwork of anything:

   the moral foundation of both society and religion.

2. the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.

   Synonyms: footing

   Antonyms: superstructure

3. the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.

   Synonyms: footing

   Antonyms: superstructure

4. the act of founding, found, setting up, establishing, etc.:

   a policy in effect since the foundation.

   Synonyms: settlement, establishment

5. the state of being founded. found.

   Synonyms: settlement, establishment

6. an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts, etc.:

   the Ford Foundation.

7. an endowment for such an institution.
8. a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.
9. foundation garment.
10. Solitaire. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.

foundation

/ faʊnˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. that on which something is founded; basis
2. often plural a construction below the ground that distributes the load of a building, wall, etc
3. the base on which something stands
4. the act of founding or establishing or the state of being founded or established
5. 1. an endowment or legacy for the perpetual support of an institution such as a school or hospital
   2. on the foundation entitled to benefit from the funds of a foundation
6. an institution supported by an endowment, often one that provides funds for charities, research, etc
7. the charter incorporating or establishing a society or institution and the statutes or rules governing its affairs
8. a cosmetic in cream or cake form used as a base for make-up
9. See foundation garment
   See foundation garment
10. cards a card on which a sequence may be built

Derived Forms

• founˈdational, adjective
• founˈdationary, adjective
• founˈdationally, adverb

Other Words From

• foun·da·tion·al adjective
• pre·foun·da·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English foundacioun, from Latin fundātiōn- (stem of fundātiō ), equivalent to fundāt(us) (past participle of fundāre; found ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Synonym Study

See base ¹.

Example Sentences

These two videos rest atop bookmarked links to The Jeffrey Epstein Foundation.

From The Daily Beast

In October, he traveled to Denver with Fry to support his work with LGBT rights organization The Matthew Sheppard Foundation.

From The Daily Beast

Privacy advocates such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation say everyone should use it.

From The Daily Beast

He is a representative of the Free Russia Foundation, an organization which aims to rebuild freedom and democracy in Russia.

From The Daily Beast

She is also head of the Sabancı Foundation, which conducts female-empowerment programs for women in rural Turkey.

From The Daily Beast

Now what should college give the young citizen, male or female, upon the foundation of schooling we have already sketched out?

From Project Gutenberg

I was too much enamoured of the honour to question the foundation on which it rested.

From Project Gutenberg

The formula for the date of its foundation in 1636 may be thus expressed—Harvard College founded; the chum age .

From Project Gutenberg

The old musical quality, rich in foundation tone, is returning, but with added power.

From Project Gutenberg

Sweet foundation tone produced from heavy wind pressure always possesses satisfactory power.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• association
• charity
• company
• corporation
• endowment
• establishment
• institute
• organization
• society