lay a/the foundation
idiom
1
: to create a usually stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath
2
: to provide something (such as an idea, a principle, or a fact) from which another thing develops or can develop
Her early research laid the foundation for many important medical discoveries.
Examples of lay a/the foundation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That will lay the foundation for the league’s third season, which is expected to begin in early November of 2025.
—
Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
With today's vote in the Senate, Texas will lay the foundation for protecting women's spaces and opportunities.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Cassie Ventura, musician and Combs' ex-girlfriend Combs' former girlfriend and musician Cassie Ventura testified for four days during the first week of the trial, as prosecutors attempted to lay the foundation of their criminal case against Combs.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 26 May 2025
Concerns regarding affordable housing, housing demand, and neighborhood stability helped lay the foundation for the formation of the Fort Worth Community Land Trust in 2023.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
With today's vote in the Senate, Texas will lay the foundation for protecting women's spaces and opportunities.
—Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
Cassie Ventura, musician and Combs' ex-girlfriend Combs' former girlfriend and musician Cassie Ventura testified for four days during the first week of the trial, as prosecutors attempted to lay the foundation of their criminal case against Combs.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 26 May 2025
Concerns regarding affordable housing, housing demand, and neighborhood stability helped lay the foundation for the formation of the Fort Worth Community Land Trust in 2023.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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Lay vs. Lie
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Cite this Entry
“Lay a/the foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20a%2Fthe%20foundation. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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