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- Dictionaryunderpinning/ˌʌndəˈpɪnɪŋ/
noun
- 1. a solid foundation laid below ground level to support or strengthen a building.
- 2. a set of ideas, motives, or devices which justify or form the basis for something: "the theoretical underpinning for free-market economics"
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noun [ C or U ] uk / ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ / us. Add to word list. something that provides support for something, or that is the starting point from which something can develop: A strong opening on Wall Street provided a firm underpinning for the FTSE 100.
to give support, strength, or a basic structure to something: He presented data to underpin his argument. Gradually the laws that underpinned (= formed part of the basic structure of) apartheid were abolished. When restoring the building, the first priority was to underpin the exterior walls by adding wooden supports along the foundations.
1. : the material and construction (such as a foundation) used for support of a structure. 2. : something that serves as a foundation : basis, supportoften used in plural. the philosophical underpinnings of educational methods. 3. : underwear usually used in plural. 4. : a person's legs usually used in plural. Synonyms. base. basis. bedrock. bottom
Underpinning definition: a system of supports beneath a wall or the like.. See examples of UNDERPINNING used in a sentence.
Underpin definition: to prop up or support from below; strengthen, as by reinforcing a foundation.. See examples of UNDERPIN used in a sentence.
1. a system of supports beneath a wall or the like. 2. (often underpinnings) a foundation or basis. to uncover the emotional underpinnings of an illness. 3. See underpinnings. Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. Word origin.
1. Material or masonry used to support a structure, such as a wall. 2. often underpinnings A support or foundation: "It was the towns, not the cities, that provided the underpinnings for the great American experiment" (Frank Conroy). 3. underpinnings Informal The human legs.
to give support, strength, or a basic structure to something: He presented data to underpin his argument. Gradually the laws that underpinned (= formed part of the basic structure of) apartheid were abolished. When restoring the building, the first priority was to underpin the exterior walls by adding wooden supports along the foundations.
verb. If one thing underpins another, it helps the other thing to continue or succeed by supporting and strengthening it. ...mystical themes that underpin all religions. [VERB noun] ...the beliefs underpinning contemporary art. [VERB noun] ...a style of life extensively underpinned by public money. [VERB noun]
Definition of underpinning noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
