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Definition of underpin verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

underpin

verb
 
/ˌʌndəˈpɪn/
 
/ˌʌndərˈpɪn/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they underpin
 
/ˌʌndəˈpɪn/
 
/ˌʌndərˈpɪn/
he / she / it underpins
 
/ˌʌndəˈpɪnz/
 
/ˌʌndərˈpɪnz/
past simple underpinned
 
/ˌʌndəˈpɪnd/
 
/ˌʌndərˈpɪnd/
past participle underpinned
 
/ˌʌndəˈpɪnd/
 
/ˌʌndərˈpɪnd/
-ing form underpinning
 
/ˌʌndəˈpɪnɪŋ/
 
/ˌʌndərˈpɪnɪŋ/
jump to other results
  1. underpin something (formal) to support or form the basis of an argument, a claim, etc.
    • The report is underpinned by extensive research.
    Topics Opinion and argumentc2
  2. underpin something (specialist) to support a wall and make it stronger by putting metal, concrete (= a hard building material), etc. under it
See underpin in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee underpin in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
previously
adverb
 
 
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