Foun·da·tion n.
 1. The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect.
 2. That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest and supporting layer of a superstructure; groundwork; basis.
    Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone . . . a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.   --Is. xxviii. 16.
    The foundation of a free common wealth.   --Motley.
 3. Arch. The lowest and supporting part or member of a wall, including the base course (see Base course (a), under Base, n.) and footing courses; in a frame house, the whole substructure of masonry.
 4. A donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment.
    He was entered on the foundation of Westminster.   --Macaulay.
 5. That which is founded, or established by endowment; an endowed institution or charity; as, the Ford Foundation.
    Against the canon laws of our foundation.   --Milton.
 Foundation course. See Base course, under Base, n.
 Foundation muslin, an open-worked gummed fabric used for stiffening dresses, bonnets, etc.
 Foundation school, in England, an endowed school.
 To be on a foundation, to be entitled to a support from the proceeds of an endowment, as a scholar or a fellow of a college.

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