underpinning C1 Topic:Abstract Ideas US /ˈʌndɝˌpɪnɪŋ/ UK /ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ/ See IPA manual Freq #90069 Meanings 1 noun a foundation, support, or basic idea that holds something up The theorem is an underpinning of the whole argument. 2 noun structural support added below a wall or building Engineers inspected the underpinning before work continued. 3 verb present participle of underpin: supporting or forming the basis for something Several assumptions are underpinning the model. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 noun · a foundation, support, or... foundationbasissupport 2 noun · structural support added... foundationsupport 3 verb · present participle of... supportinggrounding More groundwork ↔ Opposites superstructure Word family Related forms underpinunderlying Etymology From underpin + -ing. Underpin originally means to support from below; the abstract noun keeps that image for ideas and systems. Topics Abstract Ideas External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # underpinning **Type:** Word **Level:** C1 **Part of speech:** noun, verb **IPA (US):** /ˈʌndɝˌpɪnɪŋ/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈʌndəˌpɪnɪŋ/ **Frequency rank:** 90069 ## Meanings 1. a foundation, support, or basic idea that holds something up 2. structural support added below a wall or building 3. present participle of underpin: supporting or forming the basis for something ## Examples - The theorem is an underpinning of the whole argument. - Engineers inspected the underpinning before work continued. - Several assumptions are underpinning the model. ## Synonyms - foundation - basis - support - groundwork ## Antonyms - superstructure ## Related Forms - underpin - underlying ## Etymology From underpin + -ing. Underpin originally means to support from below; the abstract noun keeps that image for ideas and systems. ## Topics - Abstract Ideas markdown