foundation
Other forms: foundations
A foundation is the base for something. You often hear 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.
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the basis on which something is grounded“there is little foundation for his objections”
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types:
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basis, footing, ground
a relation that provides the foundation for something
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grass roots
the essential foundation or source
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common ground
a basis agreed to by all parties for reaching a mutual understanding
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type of:
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relation
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
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basis, footing, ground
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the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained
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synonyms:
base, basis, cornerstone, fundament, groundwork
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types:
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meat and potatoes
the fundamental part
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type of:
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assumption, supposal, supposition
a hypothesis that is taken for granted
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meat and potatoes
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education or instruction in the fundamentals of a field of knowledge
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the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new“the foundation of a new scientific society”
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synonyms:
creation, founding, initiation, innovation, instauration, institution, introduction, origination
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types:
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authorship, paternity
the act of initiating a new idea or theory or writing
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type of:
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beginning, commencement, start
the act of starting something
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authorship, paternity
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lowest support of a structure
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synonyms:
base, foot, fundament, groundwork, substructure, understructure
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types:
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bed
a foundation of earth or rock supporting a road or railroad track
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raft foundation
a foundation (usually on soft ground) consisting of an extended layer of reinforced concrete
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railroad bed
a bed on which railroad track is laid
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roadbed
a bed supporting a road
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type of:
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support
supporting structure that holds up or provides a foundation
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a woman's undergarment worn to give shape to the contours of the body
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synonyms:
foundation garment
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types:
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corset, girdle, stays
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
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roll-on
a woman's foundation garment rolled on to the hips
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panty girdle
a woman's undergarment that combines a girdle and panties
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type of:
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undergarment, unmentionable
a garment worn under other garments
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corset, girdle, stays
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an institution supported by an endowment
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charity
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
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philanthropic foundation
a foundation that provides funds for science or art or education or religion or relief from disease etc.
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private foundation
a charity that does not receive a major part of its support from the public
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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)
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type of:
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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
/faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
/faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
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Vocabulary lists containing foundation
This American classic chronicles the exploits of Huck and Jim: one is running away from an abusive father and the other is fleeing enslavement. Read the full text here.
On the ACT Reading Test, you'll encounter questions that ask you to determine the meanings of common words in context. We've identified 170 high-frequency, multiple-meaning words of the sort that you'll see on the exam. As you practice this list, you'll have to rely on context clues in order to determine each word’s meaning in a particular sentence. Be careful! Several of a word's meanings might show up as answer choices — but only one answer will capture the meaning of the word in the context of the sentence.
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