foundation

[foun-dey-shuhn]

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.

   Synonyms: footing
   Antonyms: superstructure

3. 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

4. the act of founding, found, setting up, establishing, etc..

   a policy in effect since the foundation.

   Synonyms: settlement, establishment

5. the state of being founded. found.

   Synonyms: settlement, establishment

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.

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

3. the base on which something stands

4. the act of founding or establishing or the state of being founded or established

5. 1. an endowment or legacy for the perpetual support of an institution such as a school or hospital

   2. entitled 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

Other Word Forms

• foundational adjective
• foundationally adverb
• foundationary adjective
• prefoundation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundation¹

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

Synonym Study

See base ¹.

Example Sentences

Our minds grasp tightly at illusions of stability, a semblance of a foundation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"So going and starting as a dentist in the UK, I already had somewhat of a solid foundation."

Read more on BBC

Permitting changes allowed for the foundation to run an event space in the back that Konte’s customers also can use to do work and meet with colleagues.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The African American churchgoing community has always been the foundation of the Black experience in the United States of America,” Jeffries said, who also visited the congregations of Mt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Neutrality isn’t etiquette—it’s the foundation of therapy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• association 
• charity 
• company 
• corporation 
• endowment 
• establishment 
• institute 
• organization 
• society