underpinning

[ uhn-der-pin-ing ]

noun

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. underpinnings, Informal.
   1. underwear, especially women's underwear.
   2. the legs.

underpinning

/ ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of underpinning¹

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

Example Sentences

Of course, the underpinning issues can be hard to isolate and even harder to treat.

From TechCrunch

Third, we worry about the socioeconomic underpinnings of this proposal.

From No Straight News

Public discourse was the foundation of democracy and has been the underpinning of all aspects of government and governance throughout history.

From Fortune

Distributed ledger technology, commonly known as blockchain, is the underpinning technology of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.

From Singularity Hub 

It is well within our capacity to say “No” to our evolutionary bequeathal, especially once we recognize its unethical underpinnings.

From Nautilus

The actual event underpinning his fragmented memory of being held by his arms and legs and having his pants cut still eludes him.

From The Daily Beast

Diversity of thought, religion, ideology and freedom of expression is the underpinning of our democracy.

From The Daily Beast

Beckman toasts the DIY ethic underpinning the fun of the 1970s and 1980s.

From The Daily Beast

The former supplied the financing, the lobbying, a corporate underpinning, national links, and an overall strategy.

From The Daily Beast

There has been a substantial loss of oil revenues, the underpinning of their economy.

From The Daily Beast

So far, he did not apprehend much difficulty, but he would run some risk over the underpinning of part of the track.

From Project Gutenberg

The item next in importance was the underpinning of the walls with brick wherever it was needed.

From Project Gutenberg

For underpinning walls, as specified and as above limited, one dollar ($1) for each cubic foot.

From Project Gutenberg

As to the length of his underpinning, that was apparent also.

From Project Gutenberg

Before another Session we trust the proper spirit will move some underpinning there, for the greater good of the Commonwealth.

From Project Gutenberg