foundation
Americannoun
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foundations
plural
-
the basis or groundwork of anything.
the moral foundation of both society and religion.
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the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.
- Synonyms:
- footing
- Antonyms:
- superstructure
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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
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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.
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an endowment for such an institution.
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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
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that on which something is founded; basis
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(often plural) a construction below the ground that distributes the load of a building, wall, etc
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the base on which something stands
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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
-
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an institution supported by an endowment, often one that provides funds for charities, research, etc
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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
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 6
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 1
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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:
Such proximity to the market is the foundation for companies that distinguish themselves from increasingly powerful general AI.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Meanwhile, theorists such as Russian cosmologist Alexander Friedmann took Einstein's equations more literally and developed the theoretical foundation that would help support the Big Bang theory.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 18, 2026
In its motion, Paramount cited the Clayton Antitrust Act, which is the foundation for Bonta’s lawsuit.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026
He becomes only the second foreign boss of the Scotland men's team, after the German Berti Vogts, and believes he has what it takes to build on Clarke's "strong foundation".
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
“Wonderful. My family’s foundation is a proud sponsor of her program on PBS. You should go to a taping. How about I set it up?”
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
Many scientists are trying to diversify their funding by courting foundations and private companies instead.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Heavy rains and winds were strong enough to sweep around 100 homes off their foundations on the Big Island, officials said.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 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
As a result, the first meeting of the two men who were between them to lay the foundations of scientific astronomy took place at Benatky Castle on 4 February 1600.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
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.
