foundation

noun

foun·​da·​tion fau̇n-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce foundation (audio)
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 adjective

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 Unfortunately, understanding the basics of defending a client in a criminal trial is only the foundation of a strong DUI defense. David Stubblefield, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 From pre-construction to completion, Mercer Mass Timber leverages advanced project models to optimize resource allocation, mitigate risk and costly on-site fixes, and ensure seamless coordination, laying a solid foundation for a seamless construction process. Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2024 But the eclecticism rests on a solid foundation of international law. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 Linearity can eclipse creativity, individualism and risk taking—the foundation of some of the best careers that zig-zagging promotes. Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 The foundation of that soundtrack resides in the band’s three songwriters — Womack and guitarists Thomas Johnson and Carter King. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2024 In 1966, scientists found the heat-loving bug Thermus aquaticus that became the foundation of PCR tests. Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 Previous reports show this figure at a lower $84 trillion, but nonetheless confirms a shake-up in the foundations of spending power across the globe. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024 The fearless reporter wields his pen to go toe-to-toe with this spotless figure of the community in a bid to uncover a series of incidents that shake the very foundation of society. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 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

Dictionary Entries Near foundation

Cite this Entry

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

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

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