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:
It's just having the right foundation and as long as you're open to trying something new, it could be the best decision you ever make.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
“Hey Arnold!” built on the narrative foundation the group had established on their previous show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Researchers hope that learning how to manipulate bacterial communication could eventually provide a foundation for therapies designed to steer microbial communities toward healthier states rather than simply destroying them.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
Before auto-enrollment, 1.2 million children had received $250 each from the Dells’ gift, according to their foundation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Perhaps the house was stained to its very foundation and that smell of something long dead and dried would always cling to the rooms and the rustle of rats would always come from the ceiling.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
“The death of writing compounds the death of reading,” Mr. Marriott asserts, “further unmooring our culture from its foundations in the written word.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Yet the “Turing machine,” as it came to be known, provided the theoretical foundations for all computers to this day.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Pearlman supports campus efforts to create foundations for scholarships and lobbying Sacramento and Washington to keep funding, including student aid, at necessary levels.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
At Oxford University, Professor Barr co-leads a major interdisciplinary project focused on the foundations of quantum mechanics at high energies.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
“The engineers were smart. They built the walls on old foundations that go down to bedrock. And don’t ask how I know. I just do.”
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
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.
