foundation

the basis on which something is grounded

• “there is little foundation for his objections”

an institution supported by an endowment

the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained

• “the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture”

lowest support of a structure

• “it was built on a base of solid rock”
• “he stood at the foot of the tower”

education or instruction in the fundamentals of a field of knowledge

• “he lacks the foundation necessary for advanced study”
• “a good grounding in mathematics”

a woman''s undergarment worn to give shape to the contours of the body

the act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new

• “she looked forward to her initiation as an adult”
• “the foundation of a new scientific society”
• “he regards the fork as a modern introduction”