foundation

[ foun-dey-shuhn ]

/ faʊnˈdeɪ ʃən /

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See synonyms for: foundation / foundations / foundational on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.

the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc.: a policy in effect since the foundation.

the state of being founded.

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.

foundation garment.

Solitaire. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.

OTHER WORDS FOR foundation

2, 3 footing.

4, 5 establishment, settlement.

See synonyms for foundation on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR foundation

2, 3 superstructure.

See antonyms for foundation on Thesaurus.com

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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 found¹) + -iōn- -ion

synonym study for foundation

2. See base¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM foundation

foun·da·tion·al, adjectivepre·foun·da·tion, noun

Words nearby foundation

foul tip, foul-up, foumart, found, found art, foundation, foundational, foundation garment, foundation stone, foundation subjects, founder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use foundation in a sentence

It’s not OK for kids to move on in some grade levels when the foundation of what they need for the next grade level, they don’t have.
Sacramento Report: At a Loss on Learning Loss|Sara Libby|February 5, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Google has an estimated almost 90% share of the search market in the US, and this is the foundation upon which its gargantuan online advertising business rests.
The future of Google and what it means for search|Pete Eckersley|February 5, 2021|Search Engine Watch
If someone wants to challenge me, my faith — that’s our background, foundation.
Peloton makes toning your glutes feel spiritual. But should Jesus be part of the experience?|Michelle Boorstein|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
General relativity has become the foundation for today’s understanding of the cosmos.
Einstein’s theory of general relativity unveiled a dynamic and bizarre cosmos|Elizabeth Quill|February 3, 2021|Science News

The deal in France serves as a foundation for licensing agreements with individual publishers.
Australia’s showdown with Google has profound implications for domestic businesses and other digital platforms|George Nguyen|February 2, 2021|Search Engine Land
These two videos rest atop bookmarked links to The Jeffrey Epstein Foundation.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In October, he traveled to Denver with Fry to support his work with LGBT rights organization The Matthew Sheppard Foundation.
Meet Stephen Fry’s Future Husband (Who Is Less Than Half His Age)|Tom Sykes|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Privacy advocates such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation say everyone should use it.
The Attack on the Hidden Internet|Marc Rogers|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He is a representative of the Free Russia Foundation, an organization which aims to rebuild freedom and democracy in Russia.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She is also head of the Sabancı Foundation, which conducts female-empowerment programs for women in rural Turkey.
The Women Battling an Islamist Strongman|Christina Asquith|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now what should college give the young citizen, male or female, upon the foundation of schooling we have already sketched out?
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
I was too much enamoured of the honour to question the foundation on which it rested.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The formula for the date of its foundation in 1636 may be thus expressed—Harvard College founded; the chum age .
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
The old musical quality, rich in foundation tone, is returning, but with added power.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
Sweet foundation tone produced from heavy wind pressure always possesses satisfactory power.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller

British Dictionary definitions for foundation

foundation

/ (faʊnˈdeɪʃən) /

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
on the foundation 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

See foundation garment

cards a card on which a sequence may be built

Derived forms of foundation

foundational, 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

foundation

OTHER WORDS FOR foundation

OPPOSITES FOR foundation

Origin of foundation

synonym study for foundation

OTHER WORDS FROM foundation

Words nearby foundation

Words related to foundation

How to use foundation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for foundation

Derived forms of foundation