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foundation

[foun-dey-shuh n]
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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.
  3. the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.
  4. the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc.: a policy in effect since the foundation.
  5. the state of being founded.
  6. an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts, etc.: the Ford Foundation.
  7. an endowment for such an institution.
  8. a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.
  9. foundation garment.
  10. Solitaire. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.
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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

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2, 3. footing. 4, 5. establishment, settlement.

Synonym study

2. See base1.

Antonyms

2, 3. superstructure.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for foundation

foundation

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
  3. the base on which something stands
  4. 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
  6. an institution supported by an endowment, often one that provides funds for charities, research, etc
  7. the charter incorporating or establishing a society or institution and the statutes or rules governing its affairs
  8. a cosmetic in cream or cake form used as a base for make-up
  9. See foundation garment
  10. cards a card on which a sequence may be built
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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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
foundation in Medicine

foundation

(foun-dā′shən)
n.
  1. The basis on which something stands or is supported; a base.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.