foundation

[ foun-dey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the basis or groundwork of anything:

   the moral foundation of both society and religion.

2. the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.

   Synonyms: footing

   Antonyms: superstructure

3. the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.

   Synonyms: footing

   Antonyms: superstructure

4. the act of founding, found, setting up, establishing, etc.:

   a policy in effect since the foundation.

   Synonyms: settlement, establishment

5. the state of being founded. found.

   Synonyms: settlement, establishment

6. an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts, etc.:

   the Ford Foundation.

7. an endowment for such an institution.
8. a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.
9. foundation garment.
10. Solitaire. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.

foundation

/ faʊnˈdeɪʃən /

noun

1. that on which something is founded; basis
2. often plural a construction below the ground that distributes the load of a building, wall, etc
3. the base on which something stands
4. the act of founding or establishing or the state of being founded or established
5. 1. an endowment or legacy for the perpetual support of an institution such as a school or hospital
   2. entitled to benefit from the funds of a foundation
6. an institution supported by an endowment, often one that provides funds for charities, research, etc
7. the charter incorporating or establishing a society or institution and the statutes or rules governing its affairs
8. a cosmetic in cream or cake form used as a base for make-up
9. See foundation garment
10. cards a card on which a sequence may be built

Derived Forms

• founˈdational, adjective
• founˈdationally, adverb
• founˈdationary, adjective

Other Word Forms

• foun·da·tion·al adjective
• pre·foun·da·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English foundacioun, from Latin fundātiōn- (stem of fundātiō ), equivalent to fundāt(us) (past participle of fundāre; found ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Synonym Study

See base ¹.

Example Sentences

He's respected in the game by fans, fellow players, and he can hopefully help pave the way for Ibou and maybe another CB to pick up the amazing foundations he's helped build.

From BBC

"Going back with Shelter to visit my old home, and still feeling that same energy, reminded me just how powerful the foundation of a stable, loving home can be."

From BBC

"There has to be a change in paradigms that are at the foundation of how we run our society and the kinds of laws we create."

From Salon

Yellow diggers are shoring up mounds of earth, as construction workers prepare to lay the foundations for what's set to become the largest start-up campus in Europe.

From BBC

A combination of engrained ignorance and political interests is eroding the foundation of something that made our capitalist society possible in the first place.

From Salon

Related Words

• association
• charity
• company
• corporation
• endowment
• establishment
• institute
• organization
• society