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
These speaking gigs lay the foundation for obtaining paying speaking gigs, building upon the speaker’s past performance.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The idea is to lay the foundation for new habits without putting an undue amount of pressure on yourself.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025
The project is part of a NASA program that utilizes public-private partnerships to lay the foundation for a sustained human lunar presence.
—Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
If Charles Dolan had never taken an interest in media, other business leaders and entrepreneurs would have found a way to harness the power of technology and the arts to lay the foundation for the pay television marketplace.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The idea is to lay the foundation for new habits without putting an undue amount of pressure on yourself.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025
The project is part of a NASA program that utilizes public-private partnerships to lay the foundation for a sustained human lunar presence.
—Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
If Charles Dolan had never taken an interest in media, other business leaders and entrepreneurs would have found a way to harness the power of technology and the arts to lay the foundation for the pay television marketplace.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay a/the foundation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20a%2Fthe%20foundation. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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