foun ‧ da ‧ tion W2 AC /faʊnˈdeɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
1 . BUILDING [countable] the solid layer of ↑ cement , bricks, stones etc that is put under a building to support it:
It took the builders three weeks to lay the foundations.
The earthquake shook the foundations of the house.
2 . BASIC IDEA [countable] a basic idea, principle, situation etc that something develops from
foundation of
All theories should be built on a foundation of factual knowledge.
solid/firm foundation
The course gives students a solid foundation in the basics of computing.
3 . ORGANIZATION [countable] an organization that gives or collects money to be used for special purposes, especially for ↑ charity or for medical ↑ research :
the British Heart Foundation
4 . ESTABLISHMENT [uncountable] the establishment of an organization, business, school etc SYN founding :
The school has served the community since its foundation in 1835.
5 . be without foundation ( also have no foundation ) formal if a statement, idea etc is without foundation, there is no proof that it is true SYN be groundless :
Davis dismissed the allegations as being without foundation.
6 . lay/provide the foundation(s) for something to provide the conditions that will make it possible for something to be successful:
Careful planning laid the foundations for the nation’s economic miracle.
7 . SKIN [uncountable] a cream in the same colour as your skin that you put on before the rest of your ↑ make-up
8 . shake/rock the foundations of something ( also shake/rock something to its foundations ) to completely change the way something is done or the way people think by having a completely new idea:
Darwin’s theory rocked the scientific establishment to its foundations.