foundation
Americannoun
-
foundations
plural
-
the basis or groundwork of anything.
the moral foundation of both society and religion.
-
the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.
- Synonyms:
- footing
- Antonyms:
- superstructure
-
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
-
the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc..
a policy in effect since the foundation.
- Synonyms:
- settlement, establishment
-
the state of being founded.
- Synonyms:
- settlement, establishment
-
an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts, etc..
the Ford Foundation.
-
an endowment for such an institution.
-
a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.
-
Solitaire. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.
noun
-
that on which something is founded; basis
-
(often plural) a construction below the ground that distributes the load of a building, wall, etc
-
the base on which something stands
-
the act of founding or establishing or the state of being founded or established
-
-
an endowment or legacy for the perpetual support of an institution such as a school or hospital
-
entitled to benefit from the funds of a foundation
-
-
an institution supported by an endowment, often one that provides funds for charities, research, etc
-
the charter incorporating or establishing a society or institution and the statutes or rules governing its affairs
-
a cosmetic in cream or cake form used as a base for make-up
-
cards a card on which a sequence may be built
Synonym Usage
See base 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of foundation
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English foundacioun, from Latin fundātiōn- (stem of fundātiō ), equivalent to fundāt(us) (past participle of fundāre; see found 1) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
A foundation is the base for something. You often hear about the structural foundations of buildings, but a good idea can also be the foundation of a successful business. In the simplest sense, foundations support something else. Friendship is the foundation of a good marriage, and many svelte figures rely on girdles (known to underwear specialists as a foundation garment). But foundations are also charitable organizations. And in cosmetics, foundation is gooey make-up that's supposed to match your skin tone.
Vocabulary lists containing foundation
Giving Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 6
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Essential English Vocabulary, List 1
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
I was never clever enough to take from it a kind of positive critical foundation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Rather than starting entirely from scratch, existing antibodies may be adaptable for use as powerful laboratory tools and, potentially, as the foundation for future treatments aimed at disease-causing proteins.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 20, 2026
ABC settled the case and agreed to pay $15m for his presidential foundation and museum, plus $1m in legal fees.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Mejia’s story is one of the reasons the foundation has grown so much in the last couple of years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Virtually all of the directors of the foundation were Jewish.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
That is rapidly changing in the face of a volcanic grassroots backlash that threatens the foundations of the AI boom.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
In Boca Chica, a group of residents has sued SpaceX, claiming the company’s rocket launches have cracked their homes’ foundations and caused structural issues.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
Another crisis is unfolding underground, threatening the very foundations of buildings.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
The builders unearthed the hoard while working on the building's foundations - including an 18-year-old working a summer job.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
The secret he revealed shook the very foundations of the Pythagorean doctrine, but by considering the irrational an anomaly, the Pythagoreans could keep the irrationals from contaminating their view of the universe.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
