foundation

noun

foun·​da·​tion fau̇n-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce foundation (audio)
Synonyms of foundationnext
1
: the act of founding
here since the foundation of the school
2
: a basis (such as a tenet, principle, or axiom) upon which something stands or is supported
the foundations of geometry
the rumor is without foundation in fact
3
a
: funds given for the permanent support of an institution : endowment
b
: an organization or institution established by endowment with provision for future maintenance
a trust administered by a foundation
4
: an underlying base or support
especially : the whole masonry substructure of a building
5
a
: a body or ground upon which something is built up or overlaid
a limestone foundation
b
: a woman's supporting undergarment : corset
c
: a cosmetic usually used as a base for makeup
foundationless
fau̇n-ˈdā-shən-ləs How to pronounce foundation (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of foundation in a Sentence

The inspector discovered a crack in the house's foundation. The book explains the moral foundations on which her political career was built. These problems threaten the very foundations of modern society. The scandal has shaken the government to its foundations. They established a foundation to help orphaned children.
Recent Examples on the Web One of his missions is to help bridge the gap between academia and industry, not unlike the U.S. foundation. —Jane Lanhee Lee / Bloomberg, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024 The airport was extended when the bunker was built, using dirt dug from the enormous foundation hole. —Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024 In 2017, the foundation pushed for a strict election integrity law. —Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2024 Again - the classic elevated relationship values provided the foundation for all to excel. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024 Among other projects, the foundation has established piano labs in schools in China and the U.S., including at San Diego’s High Tech Elementary Explorer school at Liberty Station. —Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024 The foundation was also temporarily tax-exempt until 1977, due to its charitable and religious nature, according to the documentary. —Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 7 Apr. 2024 During the war surrounding Israel’s foundation in 1948, Arab forces imposed a punishing siege on Jerusalem, and Jews trapped inside the city sent their children to forage for khobeza, also known as chalamit in Hebrew. —Bilal Shbair, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024 The foundation will provide staffing for the screenings, including a doctor who can immediately provide students with their results. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foundation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fundacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French fundacion, borrowed from Latin fundātiōn-, fundātiō, from fundāre "to found entry 4" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foundation was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing foundation

Dictionary Entries Near foundation

found

foundation

foundational

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foundation. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

foundation

noun
foun·​da·​tion fau̇n-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce foundation (audio)
1
: the act of founding
2
: the support upon which something rests
a house with a cinder-block foundation
suspicions with no foundation in fact
3
: funds given for the permanent support of an institution
also : an institution supported by such funds
foundational
-shnəl How to pronounce foundation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Legal Definition

foundation

noun
foun·​da·​tion
1
: a basis upon which something stands or is supported
specifically : a witness's preliminary testimony given to identify or explain evidence being offered at trial and establish its connection to the issue for which it is offered
the lack of any foundation for the orthopedic surgeon's familiarity with the…standard of care rendered the surgeon's opinion testimony inadmissible —National Law Journal

Note: Before evidence can be admitted at trial, the foundation for it must be laid by the party offering it. A foundation must also be laid for the qualification of a witness as an expert, or for the assertion of a privilege.

2
a
: funds given for the permanent support of an institution : endowment
b
: an organization or institution established by endowment with provision for future maintenance
foundational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on foundation

Nglish: Translation of foundation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of foundation for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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