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. 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

10. cards a card on which a sequence may be built

Other Word Forms

• foundational adjective
• foundationally adverb
• foundationary adjective
• prefoundation 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

So they relied on a loan from the Small Business Administration, gutted the damaged walls, and raised the foundation as they rebuilt the house.

From Los Angeles Times

During their first foundation year after finishing their medical degree, resident doctors in England earn a basic salary of £38,831.

From BBC

“Clean voter rolls are the foundation of free and fair elections,” Atty.

From Los Angeles Times

It was used to help decipher the genetic code, and in the 1970s it became the first organism to be genetically engineered when foreign DNA was inserted into it – laying the foundation for modern biotechnology.

From BBC

The experience of winning in Rome has laid the perfect foundation for this week.

From BBC

Related Words

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