noun

foundation

/faʊnˈdeɪʃən/ · say it: fown·DAY·shun

the load-carrying base of a building, below ground

In Architecture & Design

In more detail

1. (noun) the solid base that a building is built on

2. (noun) an organization that gives money to help people or support a cause

3. (noun) the basic principle or idea that something is built on

4. (noun) a cream or powder used to cover and smooth the face before applying other makeup

Examples

1. The builders dug deep holes to create a strong foundation for the house.
2. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funds health programs around the world.
3. Hard work is the foundation of success.

How to use foundation

Foundation has four distinct senses in contemporary English, each with different collocations and contexts. In construction, it refers to the structural base; in philanthropy, to established organizations distributing funds; in abstract sense, to underlying principles or beliefs; in cosmetics, to a makeup product applied before other colors. The metaphorical sense (basis or principle) is extremely common in both formal and informal writing.

Common phrases

lay a foundation
solid foundation
foundation stone
charitable foundation
foundation course
foundation cream

Synonyms

base · ground · footing · groundwork · underpinning

Word family

found (verb) · founded (adjective) · founder (noun) · foundational (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse the singular 'foundation' (one organizational entity or structural base) with 'foundations' when referring to multiple organizations or, less commonly, treat the makeup sense as countable when it is typically uncountable or used in specific product contexts.

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