found ◆◇◇ /faʊ nd/ (founds , founding , founded )
1 Found is the past tense and past participle of find .
2 VERB When an institution, company, or organization is founded by someone or by a group of people, they get it started, often by providing the necessary money. □ [be V -ed] The Independent Labour Party was founded in Bradford on January 13, 1893. □ [V n] He founded the Centre for Journalism Studies at University College Cardiff. □ [V -ed] The business, founded by Dawn and Nigel, suffered financial setbacks. ● foun|da|tion /faʊnde I ʃ ə n/ N‑SING [with poss] □ [+ of ] …the foundation of the Royal Opera as a permanent international company. ● found|ing N‑SING [with poss] □ I have been a member of the club since its founding.
3 VERB [usu passive] When a town, important building, or other place is founded by someone or by a group of people, they cause it to be built. □ [be V -ed] The town was founded in 1610.
4 → see also founded , founding SYNONYMS found VERB 2
establish: The School was established in 1989 by an Italian professor.
set up: The two sides agreed to set up a commission to investigate claims.
institute: We will institute a number of measures to better safeguard the public.
inaugurate: Pan Am inaugurated the first scheduled international flight.
foun|da|tion ◆◇◇ /faʊnde I ʃ ə n/ (foundations )
1 N‑COUNT The foundation of something such as a belief or way of life is the things on which it is based. □ [+ of ] The issue strikes at the very foundation of our community. □ [+ for ] This laid the foundations for later modern economic growth. ● PHRASE If an event shakes the foundations of a society or a system of beliefs, it causes great uncertainty and makes people question their most deeply held beliefs. □ [+ of ] The destruction of war and the death of millions of young people shook the foundations of Western idealism.
2 N‑PLURAL The foundations of a building or other structure are the layer of bricks or concrete below the ground that it is built on.
3 N‑COUNT A foundation is an organization which provides money for a special purpose such as research or charity. □ …the National Foundation for Educational Research.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If a story, idea, or argument has no foundation , there are no facts to prove that it is true. □ The allegations were without foundation. □ Each complaint is analysed very closely, and if it has no foundation it is rejected.
5 N‑VAR Foundation is a skin-coloured cream that you put on your face before putting on the rest of your make-up.
6 → see also found SYNONYMS foundation NOUN 1
basis: Both have agreed that the U.N. plan is a possible basis for negotiation.
mainstay: Fish and rice were the mainstays of the country's diet.
pillar: The pillar of her economic policy was keeping tight control over money supply.
foun|da |tion course (foundation courses ) N‑COUNT A foundation course is a course that you do at some colleges and universities in order to prepare yourself for a longer or more advanced course. [BRIT ] in AM, use basic course
foun|da |tion stone (foundation stones )
1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] A foundation stone is a large block of stone built into a large public building near the bottom. It is often involved in a ceremony for the opening of the building, and has writing on it recording this. [mainly BRIT ] □ The princess laid the foundation stone for the extension to the cathedral. in AM, use cornerstone 2 N‑COUNT The foundation stone of something is the basic, important thing which its existence or success depends on. □ [+ of ] …these foundation stones of the future: education, training, research, development.
found|ed /faʊ nd I d/
1 ADJ If something is founded on a particular thing, it is based on it. □ [+ on ] The criticisms are founded on facts as well as on convictions.
2 → see also found
found|er ◆◇◇ /faʊ ndə r / (founders , foundering , foundered )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The founder of an institution, organization, or building is the person who got it started or caused it to be built, often by providing the necessary money. □ He was one of the founders of the university's medical faculty.
2 VERB If something such as a plan or project founders , it fails because of a particular point, difficulty, or problem. □ [V ] Talks had foundered over the guarantees offered by the government against possible losses. SYNONYMS founder NOUN 1
initiator: …one of the major initiators of the tumultuous changes in Eastern Europe.
architect: …Russia's chief architect of economic reform.
creator: I have always believed that a garden dies with its creator.
originator: …the originator of the theory of relativity.
fou nd|er me m|ber (founder members ) N‑COUNT A founder member of a club, group, or organization is one of the first members, often one who was involved in setting it up. [BRIT ] in AM, use charter member
found|ing /faʊ nd I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Founding means relating to the starting of a particular institution or organization. □ The committee held its founding congress in the capital, Riga. □ He is founding director of The Conservation Foundation.