Showing results for "underpinning"

• present participle of underpin.

underpinning

American  

[uhn-der-pin-ing] / ˈʌn dərˌpɪn ɪŋ /

noun

• underpinnings
  plural

1. a system of supports beneath a wall or the like.

2. Often underpinnings. a foundation or basis.

   to uncover the emotional underpinnings of an illness.

3. Informal. underpinnings,

   1. underwear, especially women's underwear.

   2. the legs.

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underpinning British  

/ ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ /

noun

1. a structure of masonry, concrete, etc, placed beneath a wall to provide support

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• underpinnings
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of underpinning

First recorded in 1480–90; under + pin + -ing ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

underpinning underpinnings

But a new study is calling into question the very demographic data underpinning that conviction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

The basic logic underpinning his thinking is that the more people who own and use bitcoin, the greater the adoption of its network, which can provide a base for assessing its value.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

Yet, the technology underpinning autonomous warfare risks outpacing the Russian and Ukrainian frameworks for maintaining some degree of human control over weapons.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

It views data centres as underpinning public services and crucial to attract investment and allow Britain to compete in the global economy.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Toby crying, huddled behind the cracked underpinning of the trailer.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

Better are her more oblique turns—realistic scenes with strange underpinnings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Christine Idzelis looked into the broad underpinnings of value stocks’ resurgence, which can set up a longer-term period of outperformance.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 18, 2026

He charms the staff with his knowledge of these obscure machines – pointing out the bellows that power a church organ, and the pneumatic underpinnings of a piano roll player.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

"Our study reveals unique biological underpinnings of mental health that are often obscured by broad diagnostic categories."

From Science Daily ● May 4, 2026

He became a full staff member of the Mount Wilson Observatory, learned many of the scientific underpinnings of his work and died rich in the respect of the astronomical community.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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