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

Other Word Forms

• foundational adjective
• prefoundation noun
• foundationally adverb
• foundationary adjective

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

The average survival time for those who get treatment is 15 months after diagnosis, according to the foundation, compared with three to six months for those who do not.

From Los Angeles Times

We took steps to stabilise the broken foundations of local government and deliver the first genuinely fair funding review and the first multi-year settlement for a decade.

From BBC

Room modules were made in a factory outside of Ontario, Canada, at the same time that foundation work was occurring in 29 Palms.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Bailey said it was the job of central banks to ensure that economies were stable, which allowed governments to take policy decisions "knowing the foundations are sound".

From BBC

Reeves said the UK had "huge potential" and that her "mission" in the last year was "fixing the foundations" of the economy.

From BBC

Related Words

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