Definitions for foundation
faʊnˈdeɪ ʃənfoun·da·tion

Princeton's WordNet(4.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. foundationnoun

   the basis on which something is grounded

   "there is little foundation for his objections"

2. foundationnoun

   an institution supported by an endowment

3. foundation, base, fundament, foot, groundwork, substructure, understructurenoun

   lowest support of a structure

   "it was built on a base of solid rock"; "he stood at the foot of the tower"

4. foundation, groundingnoun

   education or instruction in the fundamentals of a field of knowledge

   "he lacks the foundation necessary for advanced study"; "a good grounding in mathematics"

5. basis, base, foundation, fundament, groundwork, cornerstonenoun

   the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

   "the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture"

6. foundation garment, foundationnoun

   a woman's undergarment worn to give shape to the contours of the body

7. initiation, founding, foundation, institution, origination, creation, innovation, introduction, instaurationnoun

   the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new

   "she looked forward to her initiation as an adult"; "the foundation of a new scientific society"

Wiktionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. foundationnoun

   The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect.

   The foundation of his institute has been wrought with difficulty.

2. foundationnoun

   That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest and supporting layer of a superstructure; groundwork; basis; underbuilding.

3. foundationnoun

   The lowest and supporting part or member of a wall, including the base course and footing courses; in a frame house, the whole substructure of masonry.

   The foundations of this construction have been laid out.

4. foundationnoun

   A donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment.

5. foundationnoun

   That which is founded, or established by endowment; an endowed institution or charity.

   The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. is the parent organization of the Wiktionary collaborative project.

6. foundationnoun

   Cosmetic cream roughly skin-colored, designed to make the face appear uniform in color and texture.

7. Etymology: From fundatio.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Foundationnoun

   Etymology: fondation, French.

   1. The basis or lower parts of an edifice.

   The stateliness of houses, the goodliness of trees, when we behold them, delighteth the eye; but that foundation which beareth up the one, that root which ministreth unto the other nourishment and life, is in the bosom of the earth concealed. Richard Hooker, b. i. s. 1.

   That is the way to make the city flat,
   To bring the roof to the foundation,
   To bury all. William Shakespeare, Coriolanus.

   O Jove, I think,
   Foundations fly the wretched; such, I mean,
   Where they should be reliev’d. William Shakespeare, Coriolanus.

   I draw a line along the shore;
   I lay the deep foundations of a wall,
   And Enos, nam’d from me, the city call. John Dryden, Æn.

   2. The act of fixing the basis.

   Ne’er to these chambers where the mighty rest,
   Since their foundation, came a nobler guest. Thomas Tickell.

   3. The principles or ground on which any notion is raised.

   If we give way to our passions, we do but gratify ourselves for the present, in order to our future disquiet; but if we resist and conquer them, we lay the foundation of perpetual peace in our minds. John Tillotson, Sermon 6.

   That she should be subject to her husband, the laws of mankind and customs of nations have ordered it so; and there is a foundation in nature for it. John Locke.

   4. Original; rise.

   Throughout the world, even from the first foundation thereof, all men have either been taken as lords or lawful kings in their own houses. Richard Hooker, b. i. s. 10.

   5. A revenue settled and established for any purpose, particularly charity.

   He had an opportunity of going to school on a foundation. Jonathan Swift.

   6. Establishment; settlement.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Foundationnoun

   the act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect

2. Foundationnoun

   that upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest and supporting layer of a superstructure; groundwork; basis

3. Foundationnoun

   the lowest and supporting part or member of a wall, including the base course (see Base course (a), under Base, n.) and footing courses; in a frame house, the whole substructure of masonry

4. Foundationnoun

   a donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment

5. Foundationnoun

   that which is founded, or established by endowment; an endowed institution or charity

6. Etymology: [F. fondation, L. fundatio. See Found to establish.]

Freebase(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Foundation

   A foundation is a legal categorization of nonprofit organizations that will typically either donate funds and support to other organizations, or provide the source of funding for its own charitable purposes. This type of non-profit organization differs from a private foundation which is typically endowed by an individual or family.

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. foundation

   In military architecture, is that part of a building which is underground, or the mass of stone, brick, etc., which supports a building, or upon which the walls of a superstructure are raised; or it is the coffer or bed dug below the level of the ground to raise a building upon.

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. foundation

   A type of structure as a basis to create.

   The foundations of a house are very important.

   Submitted by MaryC on December 27, 2019  

Matched Categories

1. • Education
   • Financial Institution
   • Relation
   • Support
   • Undergarment

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'foundation' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2674

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'foundation' in Nouns Frequency: #909

How to pronounce foundation?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say foundation in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of foundation in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of foundation in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of foundation in a Sentence

1. Ibn-e-Safi:

   Man after the second half of the twentieth century is frustrated. You know that the foundation of all subversiveness is laid on frustration and this frustration keeps finding ways to subversive activities. And you also know that an uncert...ain present has made man pessimistic about future... therefore he runs after anything that glitters, be it fire

2. Nixon Foundation:

   Considering the near-impossible task of identifying a chairman as farsighted, strategic-thinking and generous with his time as Dr. Cavanaugh, the board has elected the best person capable of guiding the Foundation forward.

3. Robert Grieves:

   No one wins if the foundation for Hong Kong's role as a prime international business and financial center is eroded.

4. Kahlil Gibran:

   The most solid stone in the structure is the lowest one in the foundation.

5. Jeff Henderson:

   The foundation provides a sense of protection for the future, pastors are in particular getting to understand this better so that's why we are growing. We are trying to make them understand that we're part of the solution to their financial challenges.

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