Dictionary

foundation

noun foun·da·tion \fan-ˈdā-shən\

: a usually stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath

: something (such as an idea, a principle, or a fact) that provides support for something

: an organization that is created and supported with money that people give in order to do something that helps society

Full Definition of FOUNDATION

1
:  the act of founding
2
:  a basis (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
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
b :  a woman's supporting undergarment :  corset
c :  a cosmetic usually used as a base for makeup
foun·da·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
foun·da·tion·al·ly adverb
foun·da·tion·less \-shən-ləs\ adjective
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First Known Use of FOUNDATION

14th century
FOUNDATION Defined for Kids

foundation

noun foun·da·tion \fan-ˈdā-shən\

Definition of FOUNDATION for Kids

1
:  the support upon which something rests <the foundation of a building> <the foundations of our legal system>
2
:  the act of beginning or creating <He has taught here since the school's foundation.>
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