- 1[countable, usually plural] a layer of bricks, concrete, etc. that forms the solid underground base of a building The builders are now beginning to lay the foundations of the new school. The explosion shook the foundations of the houses nearby. Thesaurusbottom
- base
- foundation
- foot
- bottom [usually sing.] the lowest part of something:Footnotes are given at the bottom of each page. I waited for them at the bottom of the hill.
- base [usually sing.] the lowest part of something, especially the part or surface on which it rests or stands:The lamp has a heavy base.
- foundation [usually pl.] a layer of bricks, concrete, etc. that forms the solid underground base of a building:to lay the foundations of the new school
- foot [sing.] the lowest part of something:She waited for him at the foot of the stairs.
- Foot is used to talk about a limited number of things: it is used most often with tree, hill/mountain, steps/stairs, and page. Bottom can be used to talk about a much wider range of things, including those mentioned above for foot.
- at/near/toward the bottom/base/foot of something
- on the bottom/base of something
- (a) firm/solid/strong base/foundation(s)
- 2[countable, uncountable] a principle, an idea, or a fact that something is based on and that it grows from Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage. The rumor is totally without foundation (= not based on any facts). These stories have no foundation (= are not based on any facts). Thesaurusbasis
- foundation
- groundwork
- base
- basis [usually sing.] a principle, an idea, or a fact that supports something and that it can develop from:This article will form the basis for our discussion.
- foundation [C, U] a principle, an idea, or a fact that supports something and that it develops from:Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage. The rumor is totally without foundation (= is not based on any facts).
- Foundation is often used to talk about larger or more important things than basis:He laid the foundations of Japan's modern economy. These figures formed the basis of their claim for compensation.
- groundwork [U] work that is done as preparation for other work that will be done later:Her study laid the groundwork for my research.
- base [usually sing.] an idea, a fact, or a situation from which something is developed:This work provided us with a strong base upon which to build the company.
- a/the basis/foundation/groundwork/base for something
- a secure/solid/sound/strong/weak basis/foundation/base
- to form the basis/foundation/base of something
- to lay the foundation/groundwork for something
- to be without basis/foundation
- 3[countable] an organization that is established to provide money for a particular purpose, for example for scientific research or charity The money will go to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
- 4[uncountable] the act of starting a new institution or organization synonym establishment The organization has grown enormously since its foundation in 1955. She used the money toward the foundation of a special research group.
- 5[uncountable] a skin-colored cream that is put on the face underneath other makeup Idioms
shake/rock the foundations of something, shake/rock something to its foundations jump to other results
Check pronunciation: foundation