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

See Examples For:

underpinning underpinnings

One of the most common assumptions underpinning the “Gen Z doesn’t drink” narrative is that young adults simply don’t want to go out anymore.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

“The ‘Full Fare Rule’ is a vital underpinning of modern flight shopping and must not be repealed or watered down in any way,” wrote Jason Rabinowitz on July 8.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Survival-economy behavior can buy time but will eventually erode Iran’s financial underpinning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

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

In the recognition by Pythagoras and Plato that the Cosmos is knowable, that there is a mathematical underpinning to nature, they greatly advanced the cause of science.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Christine Idzelis looked into the broad underpinnings of value stocks’ resurgence, which can set up a longer-term period of outperformance.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 18, 2026

He charms the staff with his knowledge of these obscure machines – pointing out the bellows that power a church organ, and the pneumatic underpinnings of a piano roll player.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

"Our study reveals unique biological underpinnings of mental health that are often obscured by broad diagnostic categories."

From Science Daily ● May 4, 2026

The underpinnings of the department’s proposed rule is that the fiduciary process must be undertaken by loyal and conflict-free plan fiduciaries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

From those underpinnings of football, an enormously strong bond developed between the two.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger