noun

1. The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect.

   “The foundation of his institute has been wrought with difficulty.”

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; underbuilding.

3. The result of the work to begin something; that which stabilizes and allows an enterprise or system to develop.

Synonyms: base, groundwall, basis, groundwork, establishment, groundwork, platform, stage