foundation

[ foun-dey-shuhn ]
See synonyms for: foundationfoundationsfoundational on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

  2. the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc.: a policy in effect since the foundation.

  3. the state of being founded.

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

  5. an endowment for such an institution.

  6. a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.

  7. Solitaire. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.

Origin of foundation

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English foundacioun, from Latin fundātiōn- (stem of fundātiō ), equivalent to fundāt(us) (past participle of fundāre; see found1) + -iōn- -ion

synonym study For foundation

2. See base1.

Other words for foundation

Opposites for foundation

Other words from foundation

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

Words Nearby foundation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use foundation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for foundation

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

  1. the base on which something stands

  2. 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

    • on the foundation entitled to benefit from the funds of a foundation

  3. an institution supported by an endowment, often one that provides funds for charities, research, etc

  4. the charter incorporating or establishing a society or institution and the statutes or rules governing its affairs

  5. a cosmetic in cream or cake form used as a base for make-up

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

Derived forms of foundation

  • foundational, adjective
  • foundationally, adverb
  • foundationary, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012