the basis or groundwork of anything

the moral foundation of both society and religion.

the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.

the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.

the act of founding, setting up, establishing, etc.

a policy in effect since the foundation.

the state of being founded.

an institution financed by a donation or legacy to aid research, education, the arts, etc.

the Ford Foundation.

an endowment for such an institution.

a cosmetic, as a cream or liquid, used as a base for facial makeup.

foundation garment.

Solitaire . a card of given denomination on which other cards are to be added according to denomination or suit.

noun

basic , caisson , superstructure. associatedwords: fundamental

noun

abcs , authority , base , basics , bed , bedrock , bottom , bottom line * , brass tacks * , foot , footing , ground , groundwork , guts * , heart * , infrastructure , justification , nitty-gritty * , nub * , nuts and bolts * , prop , reason , root , stay , substratum , substructure , support , underpinning , understructure , association , charity , company , corporation , endowment , establishment , guild , inauguration , institute , organization , plantation , settlement , set-up , society , trusteeship , constitution , creation , institution , origination , start-up , basis , fundament , seat , cornerstone , fundamental , rudiment , warrant , bedding , cellar , donation , foundingestablishment , fund , grillage , pedestal , pile , raft , roadbed , sill , staddle , stereobate