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

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Understanding that motifs from seals are directly related to the pictographs that would eventually lay the foundation for the first writing system shows how meaning was transferred from motifs to script, the study authors said. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 Under him, the division is going through some turnover, which could lay the foundation for new star power to emerge at 145 pounds. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Many political historians believe Goldwater helped lay the foundation for a conservative revolution in the Republican Party. Zach Bradshaw, The Arizona Republic, 7 Oct. 2024 All this suffering adds even greater urgency to our efforts to end the conflict, prevent it from being repeated, and lay the foundation for lasting peace and security in the region. Antony J. Blinken, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2024 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 21 Nov. 2024.

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