foundation

American  

[foun-dey-shuhn] / faʊnˈdeɪ ʃən /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Related Words

See base ¹.

Other Word Forms

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

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; 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.

Example Sentences

Her health and social care course, which lasts four years including a foundation course, is due to be awarded by Oxford Brookes University.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Now that Apple has the foundation of a strong social-media presence branded toward a younger audience, and a successful Neo introduction, more launches are likely.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The family foundation regularly donates to refugee organizations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Since then, the actor has become a staunch activist for Parkinson’s research, launching his eponymous foundation in 2000.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Dismantled long ago, the President’s House is marked today by an exhibit that shows the foundation of the building and is adjacent to the museum housing Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

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