foundation meaning

foundation means 'the base or support of something'.

foundation :

base, support

noun

▪ The building has a strong foundation.

▪ The building has a strong base.

▪ Education is the foundation of success.

▪ Education is the base of success.

paraphrasing

▪ groundwork – base

▪ basis – support

▪ underpinning – support

▪ footing – base

foundation

Pronunciation

foundation [faʊnˈdeɪʃən]

The stress is on 'day' and sounds like 'fown-day-shun'.

Common phrases and grammar about foundation

foundation - Common meaning

noun
base, support

Part of Speech Changes for "foundation"

▪ found (verb) – to establish or create

▪ foundational (adjective) – relating to a base or support

Common Expressions with "foundation"

▪ lay the foundation – to create the base

▪ build on a foundation – to develop from a base

▪ strong foundation – solid base

▪ foundation of knowledge – base of understanding

Important examples of foundation in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC vocabulary questions, foundation is often used to refer to a base or support for ideas or structures.

▪The foundation of the project is solid.
▪The base of the project is strong.

Example of a confusing word: fund (financial resources)

▪The fund of the project is solid.
▪The financial resources of the project are strong.
"Foundation" refers to the underlying basis or support for something, such as a project or idea. In the sentence "The foundation of the project is solid," it correctly implies that the underlying principles or groundwork are strong. "Fund," however, refers to financial resources or money set aside for a specific purpose. Saying "The fund of the project is solid" is grammatically incorrect because "fund" does not logically replace "foundation" in this context. Therefore, "foundation" is the appropriate choice.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

Foundation is used as a noun in TOEIC grammar questions, often to indicate the base of something.

▪The foundation of the building is secure.
▪The base of the building is safe.

foundation

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

foundation stone

'base stone', used when referring to the first stone of a building or concept.

▪The foundation stone was laid last year.
▪The base stone was placed last year.

no foundation

means 'without a base', used when something lacks support or evidence.

▪His argument has no foundation.
▪His argument lacks a base.

Differences between similar words and foundation

foundation

,

base

differences

Foundation refers to the underlying support, while base can mean the bottom part of something.

foundation
▪The foundation of the house is strong.
▪The base of the house is strong.
base
▪The base of the statue is wide.
▪The bottom of the statue is wide.

foundation

,

groundwork

differences

Foundation is used for physical or abstract support, while groundwork is often used for initial preparation.

foundation
▪The foundation of the theory is sound.
▪The initial preparation for the project is done.
groundwork
▪The groundwork for the project is complete.
▪The initial preparation for the project is done.

Words with the same origin as foundation

The origin of foundation

The word foundation comes from the Latin 'fundare', meaning 'to lay a base'.

Word structure

It has the root 'found' (to base) and suffix 'ation' (noun), so foundation means 'the act of basing'.

Words with the same origin

The root of foundation is found (to base). Words with the same root include fund (to finance), fundamental (basic).

Please select an image in the quiz

Quiz

question

Your score is

Previous post and next post

process

process

303
▪processing order
▪processing application
noun ┃
verb ┃
Views 3
process

process

303
a series of actions or steps to achieve something
▪processing order – handling an order
▪processing application – handling an application
noun ┃
verb ┃
Views 3
foundation

foundation

304
▪lay the foundation
▪build on a foundation
current
post
noun ┃
Views 2
foundation

foundation

304
base, support
▪lay the foundation – to create the base
▪build on a foundation – to develop from a base
noun ┃
Views 2
celebrity

celebrity

305
▪celebrity status
▪celebrity culture
noun ┃
Views 7
celebrity

celebrity

305
a famous person, a well-known person
▪celebrity status – being famous
▪celebrity culture – the culture surrounding famous people
noun ┃
Views 7
accountant

accountant

306
▪hire an accountant
▪meet with an accountant
noun ┃
Views 2
accountant

accountant

306
financial expert, bookkeeper
▪hire an accountant – employ a financial expert
▪meet with an accountant – have a meeting with a financial expert
noun ┃
Views 2
donate

donate

307
▪donate money
▪donate clothes
Verb ┃
Views 4
donate

donate

307
to give, to contribute
▪donate money – to give money for a good cause
▪donate clothes – to give used clothing for charity
Verb ┃
Views 4
Same category words
entrepreneurship, startup

foundation

base, support
current post
304

pioneer

876

flourish

2021

conglomerate

1957

corporate

155
TOEIC_Vocabulary_List_PDF_PC
TOEIC_Vocabulary_List_PDF_Mobile

View All TOEIC PDFs

Visitors & Members
2+
VocaZip