Showing results for "underpinning"

• present participle of underpin.

underpinning

American  

[uhn-der-pin-ing] / ˈʌn dərˌpɪn ɪŋ /

noun

underpinnings plural

1. a system of supports beneath a wall or the like.

2. Often underpinnings. a foundation or basis.

   to uncover the emotional underpinnings of an illness.

3. Informal. underpinnings,

   1. underwear, especially women's underwear.

   2. the legs.

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underpinning British  

/ ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ /

noun

1. a structure of masonry, concrete, etc, placed beneath a wall to provide support

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• underpinnings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of underpinning

First recorded in 1480–90; under + pin + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The one thing underpinning the North Africans' success has been long-term investment backed by the country's King Mohammed VI.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2026

Despite the concerns, resilient supplies and strong harvest progress are underpinning confident market sentiment, the FAO said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

The second order, on post-quantum cryptography, addresses a looming vulnerability: the rise of quantum computers powerful enough to unravel the public-key cryptography underpinning secure web browsing and blockchain networks.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

Insatiable demand for all things semiconductor and artificial intelligence is underpinning this stock market rally.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

That is, to replace its interweaving but independent voices with a more unified, streamlined sound, with the keyboard and cello locked together supportively, underpinning the sparring interplay of the two violins above them.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall