Thefoundationof something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
Best friends are the foundation of my life.
The issue strikes at the very foundation of our community. [+ of]
This laid the foundations for later modern economic growth. [+ for]
See to shake the foundations of something
2. plural noun
The foundations of a building or other structure are the layer of bricks or concrete below the ground that it is built on.
3. countable noun
A foundation is an organization which provides money for a special purpose such as research or charity.
...the National Foundation for Educational Research.
4. uncountable noun
If a story, idea, or argument has nofoundation, there are no facts to prove that it is true.
The allegations were without foundation.
Each complaint is analysed very closely, and if it has no foundation it is rejected.
Synonyms: justification, grounds, basis, warrant More Synonyms of foundation
5. variable noun
Foundation is a skin-coloured cream that you put on your face before putting on the rest of your make-up.
6. See also found
More Synonyms of foundation
foundation in British English
(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. on the 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. foundation garment
10. cards
a card on which a sequence may be built
Derived forms
foundational (founˈdational)
adjective
foundationally (founˈdationally)
adverb
foundationary (founˈdationary)
adjective
foundation in American English
(faʊnˈdeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a founding or being founded; establishment
2.
a.
an organization established to maintain, assist, or finance institutions or projects of a social, educational, charitable, religious, etc. nature, as by the making of grants
b.
the fund or endowment used by such an organization to carry out its programs
c.
an institution maintained by such a fund
3.
the base on which something rests; specif., the supporting part of a wall, house, etc., usually of masonry, concrete, etc., and at least partially underground
4.
the fundamental principle on which something is founded; basis
5.
a supporting material or part beneath an outer part
6.
foundation garment
7.
a cosmetic cream, liquid, etc. over which other makeup is applied
SIMILAR WORDS: base
Derived forms
foundational (founˈdational)
adjective
Word origin
ME foundacioun < OFr fondation < L fundatio < pp. of fundare: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
COBUILD Collocations
foundation
apply foundation
build a foundation
charitable foundation
charity foundation
establish a foundation
firm foundation
form the foundation of
lay the foundations
provide the foundation for
shaky foundations
solid foundation
Examples of 'foundation' in a sentence
foundation
Yet this still feels a confident group who are now built on firm foundations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You need players who work hard and lay solid foundations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Keeping that foundation strong brings us back to conservation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Next month she can lay its foundations.
The Sun (2016)
But the players that have come in will build a foundation for the next two or three years.
The Sun (2016)
The rest will go to the couple's charitable foundation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All products sold include a donation to the prince's charitable foundation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I wanted to make sure the growth was not artificial but was coming from solid foundations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The fact is that City will not be able to challenge for any honours this season unless their foundations are more solid.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Following the hard work of the last two or three years, the foundation is now strong and healthy for sustained growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Your place of business rests on a firm foundation.
Kiam, Victor Going For It!: How to Succeed As an Entrepreneur (1986)
How do we provide them with this same solid foundation?
Christianity Today (2000)
This involves the people and pursuits that form the foundation of your life.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It also offers honours and foundation degrees and has strong links to business and industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
These will form the foundation for an accord.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
All his assets will pass to his charitable foundation after his death.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The foundation says this may prove clinically more effective.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Today you can see the remains of the wall and ditch sections and building foundations.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This stability provides a real foundation for future growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Real success takes commitment so build solid foundations first.
The Sun (2013)
Works as a foundation base or on its own.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They have also set up a charity foundation.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Setting up firm foundations for the long term is vitally important to you.
The Sun (2015)
The very foundations of my life seemed to have collapsed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This highlights a relationship that has a strong foundation in honesty and trust.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The internal one will carry the weight of the statue and will be anchored by reinforced concrete foundations.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There are new two-year foundation degrees for policing and health service technicians.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The club would also commit to funding sport in the five Olympic boroughs through their charitable foundation.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Invest in a face cream or foundation that contains a SPF.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
foundation
British English: foundation NOUN
belief The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
Best friends are the foundation of my life.
American English: foundation
Brazilian Portuguese: base
Chinese: 基础
European Spanish: base
French: base
German: Grundlage
Italian: fondamento
Japanese: 基盤
Korean: 기반
European Portuguese: base
Latin American Spanish: base
British English: foundation NOUN
building The foundations of a building or other structure are the layer of bricks or concrete below the ground that it is built on.
American English: foundation
Brazilian Portuguese: fundação
Chinese: 地基
European Spanish: cimientos
French: fondation
German: Fundament
Italian: fondamenta
Japanese: 土台
Korean: 토대
European Portuguese: fundação
Latin American Spanish: cimientos
British English: foundation NOUN
proof If a story, idea, or argument has no foundation, there are no facts to prove that it is true.
The allegations were without foundation.
American English: foundation
Brazilian Portuguese: fundação
Chinese: 根据
European Spanish: fundamento
French: fondement
German: Grundlage
Italian: fondamento
Japanese: 根拠
Korean: 근거
European Portuguese: fundação
Latin American Spanish: fundamento
British English: foundation NOUN
make-upFoundation is a skin-coloured cream that you put on your face before putting on the rest of your make-up.
Use foundation and/or face powder afterwards for an even skin tone.
American English: foundation
Brazilian Portuguese: creme base
Chinese: 粉底霜
European Spanish: base de maquillaje
French: fond de teint
German: Grundierungscreme
Italian: fondo tinta
Japanese: ファンデーション
Korean: 파운데이션
European Portuguese: creme base
Latin American Spanish: base de maquillaje
All related terms of 'foundation'
firm foundation
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
tank foundation
A tank foundation is a base which is designed to support the weight of oil tanks and contain spillage.
apply foundation
Foundation is a skin-coloured cream that you put on your face before putting on the rest of your make-up .
charity foundation
A foundation is an organization which provides money for a special purpose such as research or charity .
foundation course
A foundation course is a course that you do at some colleges and universities in order to prepare yourself for a longer or more advanced course.
foundation cream
that on which something is founded; basis
foundation degree
A degree at a university or college is a course of study that you take there, or the qualification that you get when you have passed the course.
foundation garment
a woman's undergarment worn to shape and support the figure ; brassiere or corset
foundation stone
A foundation stone is a large block of stone built into a large public building near the bottom . It is often involved in a ceremony for the opening of the building, and has writing on it recording this.
solid foundation
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
build a foundation
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
charitable foundation
A foundation is an organization which provides money for a special purpose such as research or charity .
foundation subjects
the subjects studied as part of the National Curriculum , including the compulsory core subjects
on the foundation
an endowment or legacy for the perpetual support of an institution such as a school or hospital
ring wall foundation
A ring wall foundation is a base made of concrete , used to put large tanks on.
establish a foundation
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
form the foundation of
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
Australia Day
a public holiday in Australia , commemorating the landing of the British in 1788: observed on January 26
provide the foundation for
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
lay the foundations
The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based.
National Foundation of the Arts and the Humanities
an independent government agency which supports the arts and humanities
Chinese translation of 'foundation'
foundation
(faunˈdeɪʃən)
n
(u)[of organization, company, city]成立 (chénglì)
(c) (= basis)[of belief, way of life]基础(礎) (jīchǔ)
(u) (= substance) (fig) 根据(據) (gēnjù)
(c) (= organization) 基金会(會) (jījīnhuì) (个(個), gè)
(u/c) (also foundation cream) 粉底霜 (fěndǐshuāng)
without foundation没(沒)有根据(據) (méiyǒu gēnjù)
to lay the foundations of sth为(為)某事奠定基础(礎) (wèi mǒushì diàndìng jīchǔ)
Derived Forms
foundationsn pl[of building]地基 (dìjī)
1 (noun)
Definition
the basic experience, idea, or attitude on which a way of life or belief is based
Best friends are the foundation of my life.
Synonyms
basis
The UN plan is a possible basis for negotiation.
heart
root
We got to the root of the problem.
mainstay
beginning
support
Rats had been gnawing at the supports of the house.
ground
rest
key
principle
the principles of quantum theory
fundamental
premise
starting point
These proposals represent a realistic starting point for negotiation.
principal element
2 (noun)
Definition
the base on which something stands
vertical or lateral support for building foundations
Synonyms
substructure
underpinning
the economic underpinning of ancient Mexican society
groundwork
These courses provide the groundwork of statistical theory.
bedrock
It took five years to drill down to bedrock.
base
The mattress is best on a solid bed base.
footing
a sounder financial footing for the future
bottom
He sat at the bottom of the stairs.
3 (noun)
Definition
the act of founding
the foundation of the modern welfare state
Synonyms
setting up
The setting up of a special fund.
institution
Class size varies from one type of institution to another.
instituting
organization
settlement
establishment
discussions to explore the establishment of diplomatic relations
initiating
originating
starting
endowment
inauguration
the inauguration of monetary union
4 (noun)
The allegations were without foundation.
Synonyms
justification
I knew there was no justification for what I was doing.
grounds
basis
warrant
There is some warrant for his behaviour.
reason
There is a reason for every important thing that happens.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of base
The mattress is best on a solid bed base.
Synonyms
support,
stand,
foot,
rest,
bed,
bottom,
foundation,
pedestal,
groundwork
in the sense of bedrock
Definition
the solid rock beneath the surface soil
It took five years to drill down to bedrock.
Synonyms
bottom,
bed,
foundation,
underpinning,
rock bottom,
substructure,
substratum
in the sense of bottom
Definition
the lowest, deepest, or farthest removed part of a thing
He sat at the bottom of the stairs.
Synonyms
lowest part,
base,
foot,
bed,
floor,
basis,
foundation,
depths,
support,
pedestal,
deepest part
Synonyms of 'foundation'
foundation
Explore 'foundation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of underpinning
the economic underpinning of ancient Mexican society