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
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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.
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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
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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
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a cosmetic in cream or cake form used as a base for make-up
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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:
However, they provide a foundation for future research into better forecasting tools and potential treatments.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026
The analysts view the South Korean auto-component supplier as “the primary hardware foundation for Hyundai Motor Group’s physical artificial-intelligence initiative.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026
Her family intends to use the money to fund the foundation.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
"This year's breeding success is another important milestone in the return of this lost species to England; it shows what can be achieved by very skilled wildlife managers," Roy Dennis OBE from the foundation said.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 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
For years, Warren Buffett has been dispersing some of his Berkshire shares to charitable foundations run by his children—Howie included.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Like the groves and gardens, houses built foolhardily near the dry summertime river risked being pulled off their foundations and washed away by the winter torrents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
The programme is funded by philanthropic foundations and has received about $300,000 to date, according to Borneo Futures.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
Organic chemists routinely study chains of atoms that form the molecular foundations of medicines, advanced materials, agrochemicals, polymers and many other technologies used in everyday life.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
And the principal foundations of all states, the new as well as the old or the mixed, are good laws and good armies.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
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.
