foun·da·tion 
/faʊnˈdeɪʃən/ noun
plural foun·da·tions /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/ noun 1 [count] a : a usually stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath
▪ The inspector discovered a crack in the house's foundation. ▪ pour/lay/dig the foundation
b : something (such as an idea, a principle, or a fact) that provides support for something
▪ He insists that these charges are without foundation. [=are unfounded] ▪ These charges have no foundation in fact. [=there are no facts that support these charges] ▪ The book explains the moral foundations on which her political career was built. ▪ These problems threaten the very foundations of modern society. ▪ The scandal has shaken the government to its foundations. ▪ Her early research laid the foundation [=provided the basis] for many important medical discoveries. 2 [count] : an organization that is created and supported with money that people give in order to do something that helps society
▪ They established a foundation to help orphaned children. ▪ set up a foundation ▪ a charitable/nonprofit/private foundation 3 [count, noncount] : a special cream that is the color of your skin and that you spread on your face and neck before putting on other makeup 4 [noncount] : the act of founding something
▪ the foundation of a new school
▪ The inspector discovered a crack in the house's foundation. ▪ pour/lay/dig the foundation
b : something (such as an idea, a principle, or a fact) that provides support for something
▪ He insists that these charges are without foundation. [=are unfounded] ▪ These charges have no foundation in fact. [=there are no facts that support these charges] ▪ The book explains the moral foundations on which her political career was built. ▪ These problems threaten the very foundations of modern society. ▪ The scandal has shaken the government to its foundations. ▪ Her early research laid the foundation [=provided the basis] for many important medical discoveries.
▪ They established a foundation to help orphaned children. ▪ set up a foundation ▪ a charitable/nonprofit/private foundation
▪ the foundation of a new school
