foundation

noun

fau̇n-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce foundation (audio)
Definition of foundationnext
1
as in institute
a public organization with a particular purpose or function donated to a foundation that supported cancer research

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in basis
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests she had a good enough foundation in math to pursue an economics degree

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foundation The next season Padover traded for Allisha Gray for two draft picks, giving the Dream a solid foundation with Gray, Howard and Hillmon. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 His defensive foundations include running a 3-4 scheme, similar to current Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 What specific ideas inspired the scientific foundation for this story? — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026 In some respects, Mann’s production company Dhar Mann Studios is starting to resemble the legacy studios whose foundations are being shaken by creators like him. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foundation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foundation
  1. institute
  2. basis
  3. institution
  4. cornerstone
  5. group
  6. bedrock
Noun
  • Last Energy, a commercial spinoff of Energy Impact Center, a clean energy institute based in Washington, DC, is building a pilot facility at Texas A&M RELLIS with a nuclear core that will also feature in its commercial-scale reactors.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • What illness, which the institute studies, has been the subject of speculation about her death?
    — New York Times, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of institute
Noun
  • While the 28-year-old hit 19 homers and stole 41 bases, his 98 wRC+ ranked 14th among qualified second basemen.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That concept forms the basis of membrane-free electrolysis, which avoids the membrane traditionally used to separate the two electrode reactions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of basis
Noun
  • This year there are 339 exhibiting companies and institutions from 32 countries and territories, 17% more than last year.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The result is a country spending heavily to sustain its public institutions while struggling to deliver the services citizens expect and a political system increasingly consumed by conflict over how to fix them.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of institution
Noun
  • The theme of the evening was family and relationships, the cornerstones of the business for the last century.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That high, lonesome, male tenor voice is just such a cornerstone sound of bluegrass.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of cornerstone
Noun
  • The letter is spearheaded by Guardrails Action, the nonprofit affiliated with Guardrails Alliance, the super PAC launched in June as a counterweight to pro-AI election groups.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The service The service at Sala is seamless and friendly, and from arrival, the front desk staff feels more like a group of friends than a removed set of hotel employees.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of group
Noun
  • Wooler’s wife Amy Wooler, ever the bedrock of the family, was well-equipped to take on the role of operations manager.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Professor James Maas was a bedrock of the psychology department.
    — Jennifer Obel, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of bedrock

Browse Nearby Words

found
foundation
foundationless
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Cite this Entry

“Foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foundation. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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