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
-
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:
Within weeks, the foundation distributed $5 million each to two nonprofit organizations.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
United by necessity, the men hold opposing views on humankind, and their ongoing quarrel gives the movie a ruminative foundation that sets it apart from the usual action-first studio feature.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
The foundation funds the program, along with several other donors.
From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026
While he did not know what the situation for his comeback would be, he has rejoined the club during their most challenging time - and opted to donate his salary to Zaragoza's foundation.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Her fingers whisk excess foundation from my jawline.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
The finding supports one of the foundations of modern cosmology.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
Ahead of his address, the pope will visit an exhibition dedicated to St Augustine, the influential fifth-century Christian theologian who laid the foundations for the 13th century Augustinian order to which Leo belongs.
From Barron's ● Aug. 21, 2026
Many scientists are trying to diversify their funding by courting foundations and private companies instead.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 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
We have removed the rot, we are strengthening the foundations.
From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers
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.
