Underpinning
noun, verb ·4 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A support or foundation, especially as a structure of masonry that supports a wall.
"This house's underpinning is not up to standard."
- 2 A basis for something. figuratively
"I would like to know more about the underpinning of this political theory."
- 3 The lower body or legs. figuratively, humorous
"Thinks I to myself, “Sol, you're run off your course again. This is a rich man's summer ‘cottage’ and if you don't look out there's likely to be some nice, lively dog taking an interest in your underpinning.”"
- 1 present participle and gerund of underpin form-of, gerund, participle, present
Example
More examples"In his own farewell address, George Washington wrote that self-government is the underpinning of our safety, prosperity, and liberty, but "from different causes and from different quarters much pains will be taken…to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth.""
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.