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foundation

A foundation is the base for something. You often here about the structural foundations of buildings, but a good idea can also be the foundation of a successful business.

In the simplest sense, foundations support something else. Friendship is the foundation of a good marriage, and many svelte figures rely on girdles (known to underwear specialists as a foundation garment). But foundations are also charitable organizations. And in cosmetics, foundation is gooey make-up that's supposed to match your skin tone.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: foundation

1
 n
the basis on which something is grounded
2
 n
lowest support of a structure
3
 n
an institution supported by an endowment
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: foundation
1

n the basis on which something is grounded

“there is little foundation for his objections”
Types:
basis, footing, ground
a relation that provides the foundation for something
grass roots
the essential foundation or source
common ground
a basis agreed to by all parties for reaching a mutual understanding
Type of:
relation
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

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

Synonyms:
base, basis, cornerstone, fundament, groundwork
Types:
meat and potatoes
the fundamental part
Type of:
assumption, supposal, supposition
a hypothesis that is taken for granted

n education or instruction in the fundamentals of a field of knowledge

“he lacks the foundation necessary for advanced study”
Synonyms:
grounding
Type of:
education
knowledge acquired by learning and instruction

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

“the foundation of a new scientific society”
Synonyms:
creation, founding, initiation, innovation, instauration, institution, introduction, origination
Types:
authorship, paternity
the act of initiating a new idea or theory or writing
Type of:
beginning, commencement, start
the act of starting something
2

n lowest support of a structure

Synonyms:
base, foot, fundament, groundwork, substructure, understructure
Types:
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bed
a foundation of earth or rock supporting a road or railroad track
raft foundation
a foundation (usually on soft ground) consisting of an extended layer of reinforced concrete
railroad bed
a bed on which railroad track is laid
roadbed
a bed supporting a road
Type of:
support
supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation

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

Synonyms:
foundation garment
Types:
corset, girdle, stays
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
roll-on
a woman's foundation garment rolled on to the hips
panty girdle
a woman's undergarment that combines a girdle and panties
Type of:
undergarment, unmentionable
a garment worn under other garments
3

n an institution supported by an endowment

Types:
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charity
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
philanthropic foundation
a foundation that provides funds for science or art or education or religion or relief from disease etc.
private foundation
a charity that does not receive a major part of its support from the public
public charity
a charity that is deemed to receive the major part of its support from the public (rather than from a small group of individuals)
Type of:
financial institution, financial organisation, financial organization
an institution (public or private) that collects funds (from the public or other institutions) and invests them in financial assets
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