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.

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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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Etymology

Origin of underpinning

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

Example Sentences

Here is a look at some of the key elements of the vehicles underpinning the flight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Economists have recently called for more transparency around how individual members of the RBA board vote on interest rates and the range of views underpinning those decisions.

From The Wall Street Journal

And an underpinning of loneliness and suppressed yearning.

From Los Angeles Times

"But those are just simulations, not the real universe. Now we have a foundation which can let us know if some of the astrophysics underpinning those simulations is correct."

From Science Daily

Supreme Court decision that annulled the tariffs underpinning that agreement.

From Barron's