underpinning

[uhn-der-pin-ing]

noun

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.

underpinning

/ ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of underpinning¹

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

Example Sentences

That same year, Adam Smith published “The Wealth of Nations,” providing theoretical underpinning for the American experiment in free markets.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Wall Street has pointed to this move as evidence that ballooning debt and uncomfortably high inflation are disrupting the outlook for currencies underpinning the global financial system.

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They said this would include auditing and inspecting the source code and recommendation system underpinning the app, and rebuilding it for US users using only US user data.

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The saga that led to this point is well-known in Scotland but the reasons underpinning it remain hotly contested.

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None of this means that the hype machine underpinning most public expectations of AI has taken a breather.

Read more on Los Angeles Times