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foundation of

foundation of

97 3.5
A basic idea that people build other things on
  • noun
  • /faʊnˈdeɪʃən ʌv/
translation icon : base de
  • Precision is the foundation of passion.
  • lay the foundations of
  • build a foundation of
  • destroy the foundation of

For me, the foundation of my refuelling became sleep.

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Examples

  • We'll flood the market with so much gold - - that the very foundation of finance will lose its meaning.

  • This is the foundation of modern educational theory.

  • Do you know what the foundation of a great hotel is?

  • The best relationships have a foundation of friendship.

  • Self esteem is the foundation of all success.

  • That's the foundation of this country.

  • The conservation of species is one of the foundations of conservation biology.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Economists sometimes forget that property rights are the basic foundation of a free-enterprise system.

    Academic text (1991)
  • A new society was flowering, and the foundations of the old society appeared to be cracking.

    Academic text (2008)
  • This is the foundation of modern educational theory.

Synonyms

basis
vsfoundation of
3.0

The main support, reason, or way that something happens

is slightly more formal and emphasises foundational principles over starting points
foundation
vsfoundation of
182 3.5

The basic ideas and facts that support a belief, plan, or system

has identical meaning but often appears with a following preposition
cornerstone
vsfoundation of
46 5.3

A very important idea or part that something depends on

is a broader underlying basis rather than one highlighted element
cornerstone of
vsfoundation of
37 4.2

An important idea or thing that other things depend on

is more general and names the overall underlying basis rather than one element
the pillar of
vsfoundation of
33 4.8

A main thing that supports and keeps something strong

is more neutral and describes the basic underlying principle rather than strength
building block
vsfoundation of
23 3.0

A basic part that forms the base of something larger

describes the overall underlying basis rather than a single component piece
basic principle
vsfoundation of
22 2.7

An important rule or idea that forms the base for other knowledge

covers both rules and broader factual supports rather than just rules
bedrock
vsfoundation of
18 4.2

The basic principles that support a system, idea, or group

focuses on the general basis rather than emphasising depth or permanence
underpinning
vsfoundation of
  • Formal
12 5.0

A basic support or principle that something depends on

refers to the same support but as the general underlying basis
fundament
vsfoundation of
1 9.4

A basic idea that something is built on

is more about practical supporting facts than abstract assumptions
footstone
vsfoundation of
  • Archaic
7.7

A basic idea or belief that other things depend on

is the ordinary expression for the actual supporting basis rather than a figure

Antonyms

superstructure
  • Specialized
9 7.0

The part of a building or ship that stands above its base

3.4

On the outside or top layer of something

How Fundamental

bedrock
18 4.2
cornerstone
46 5.3
foundation of
97 3.5
basis
3.0
reason
1.0

Surface Forms

foundation of singular

Morphology

foundation + of

The phrase 'foundation of' is compositionally straightforward: 'foundation' denotes the basic principles or base, and the preposition 'of' marks the relationship to what is being based. This relational, noun + of construction is cross-linguistically common and follows standard English composition patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Foundation of comes from the image of a building's foundation, the strong base under a house that holds everything up. So when we talk about the foundation of something we mean the 'basis' or 'support' that everything else stands on.