underpinning

[ uhn-der-pin-ing ]

/ ˈʌn dərˌpɪn ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR underpinning ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a system of supports beneath a wall or the like.

Often underpinnings. a foundation or basis: to uncover the emotional underpinnings of an illness.

underpinnings, Informal.

underwear, especially women's underwear.
the legs.

Nearby words

underpart, underpass, underpay, underperform, underpin, underpinning, underpinnings, underpitch vault, underplant, underplay, underplot

Origin of underpinning

First recorded in 1480–90; under + pin + -ing¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for underpinnings

The changes are not happening yet on the surface, but in the important place, in the underpinnings of society.
Can Bare Breasts Save Tunisia?|Janine di Giovanni|March 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But a reader will never learn about the underpinnings of these friendships.
Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington’s Memoir Offers Few Revelations|Robin Givhan|November 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
All of these underpinnings of growth and reputation are too important to be left to federal governments.
‘Technik’ and the City: How Urban Centers Like New York and Tokyo Are Becoming Info-States|Ayesha and Parag Khanna|June 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Freudian underpinnings that permeated Suddenly Last Summer are also present here.
Hollywood's Bad Mother Obsession|Stephen Farber|December 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST

His performance style and guitar playing provided the underpinnings for the whole Punk Movement and then some.
Dead Cool: Johnny Thunders|Simon Doonan|February 5, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The gate of the nameless mausoleum had not been opened for many years, and the wind had heaped the dirt against the underpinnings.
The Enemies of Women|Vicente Blasco Ibez
Clank, the presses begin again, and all afternoon I iron gentlemen's underpinnings.
Working With the Working Woman|Cornelia Stratton Parker
That ship you talked of is awfully plated up topside, but all her underpinnings are pretty weak.
A Fleet in Being|Rudyard Kipling
You will have cut the underpinnings from beneath the American dollar.
Damned If You Don't|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for underpinnings (1 of 2)

underpinnings

/ (ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋz) /

pl n

any supporting structure or system

British Dictionary definitions for underpinnings (2 of 2)

underpinning

/ (ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for underpinnings

underpinning

late 15c., "action of supporting or strengthening from beneath," from under + present participle of pin (v.). Figurative sense of "prop, support" is recorded from 1580s.

underpinning

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of underpinning

Examples from the Web for underpinnings

British Dictionary definitions for underpinnings (1 of 2)

underpinnings

pl n

British Dictionary definitions for underpinnings (2 of 2)

underpinning

noun

Word Origin and History for underpinnings

underpinning