- 1underpin something (formal) to support or form the basis of an argument, a claim, etc. The report is underpinned by extensive research.
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- 2underpin something (technology) to support a wall by putting metal, concrete, etc. under it
underpin
verbNAmE//ˌʌndərˈpɪn//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they underpin he / she / it underpins
past simple underpinned
-ing form underpinning
NAmE//ˈʌndərˌpɪnɪŋ//
noun [countable, uncountable]See underpin in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: underpin