Dictionary.com
definitions

foundation

[foun-dey-shuhn]
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR foundation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

RELATED CONTENT

IB
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
12 Words About Beginnings
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

infrastructure, groundwork, support, authority, base, bedrock, institute, corporation, company, society, organization, establishment, endowment, association, charity, heart, footing, justification, bottom, nitty-gritty

Origin of foundation

1350–1400; Middle English foundacioun < Latin fundātiōn- (stem of fundātiō), equivalent to fundāt(us) (past participle of fundāre; see found2) + -iōn- -ion
Related formsfoun·da·tion·al, adjectivefoun·da·tion·al·ly, adverbfoun·da·tion·ar·y, adjectivepre·foun·da·tion, noun

Synonyms for foundation

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR foundation ON THESAURUS.COM
2, 3. footing. 4, 5. establishment, settlement.

Synonym study

2. See base1.

Antonyms for foundation

2, 3. superstructure.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for foundation

Contemporary Examples of foundation

Historical Examples of foundation

British Dictionary definitions for foundation

foundation

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
  1. an endowment or legacy for the perpetual support of an institution such as a school or hospital
  2. on the foundationentitled 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
See foundation garment
cards a card on which a sequence may be built
Derived Formsfoundational, adjectivefoundationally, adverbfoundationary, 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
Word Origin and History for foundation
n.

late 14c., "action of founding," from Old French fondacion (14c.) or directly from Latin fundationem (nominative fundatio) "a founding," noun of action from past participle stem of fundare (see found (v.1)). The Latin word is glossed in Old English by staþol. Meaning "that which is founded" (a college, hospital, etc.) is from 1510s; meaning "funds endowed" is early 15c. Sense of "solid base of a structure" is from late 15c.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for foundation

foundation

[foun-dā′shən]

n.

The basis on which something stands or is supported; a base.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.