foundation: Meaning and Definition of

foun•da•tion

Pronunciation: (foun-dā'shun), [key]
— n.
  1. the basis or groundwork of anything: the moral foundation of both society and religion.
  2. the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.
  3. the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.
  4. the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc.: a policy in effect since the foundation.
  5. the state of being founded.
  6. an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts, etc.: the Ford Foundation.
  7. an endowment for such an institution.
  8. a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.
  9. See
  10. a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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