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
Until now, a satellite had to be outfitted with multiple antennas to do this, so this could lay a foundation for more seamless satellite communications.
—
Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Mental health and wellness training at the police academy is important to lay a foundation of awareness, says police researcher Matthew Carpenter.
—Katja Ridderbusch, NPR, 26 May 2025
The work ahead is vital, according to NASA, which aims under its Artemis program to use a slate of uncrewed lunar missions like IM-2 to lay the foundation for the first ever lunar settlement when humans return as early as 2027.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Mental health and wellness training at the police academy is important to lay a foundation of awareness, says police researcher Matthew Carpenter.
—Katja Ridderbusch, NPR, 26 May 2025
The work ahead is vital, according to NASA, which aims under its Artemis program to use a slate of uncrewed lunar missions like IM-2 to lay the foundation for the first ever lunar settlement when humans return as early as 2027.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for lay a/the foundation
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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 18 Jun. 2025.
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