underpinning

American  

[uhn-der-pin-ing] / ˈʌn dərˌpɪn ɪŋ /

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. Informal. underpinnings,

   1. underwear, especially women's underwear.

   2. the legs.

---

underpinning British  

/ ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of underpinning

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

Example Sentences

His pace and dribbling quality have always been best in class - underpinning a unique profile in the modern game.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

The business logic underpinning all of it is a subscription model that distinguishes the Times sharply from traditional game companies.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

If investors can refocus their attention away from the Middle East then Haefele is confident they can redirect it towards the fundamentals that are underpinning the recent rally.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

Shares of Google’s parent company rise 3.9% after results beat expectations, with CEO Sundar Pichai unsurprisingly crediting AI investments underpinning much of the growth across the company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

The thesis is misnamed, because, as it is usually formulated, Duhem did not hold it and Quine abandoned it, but it is the fundamental conceptual underpinning of much modern history and philosophy of science.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton