French word

fondement

Pronunciation

IPA/fɔ̃dəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfoundation

Example

Le respect est le fondement d'une relation saine.

Respect is the foundation of a healthy relationship.

Illustration for fondement (foundation)

More examples

La solidarité est le fondement d'une communauté forte.

Solidarity is the foundation of a strong community.

Core concept

The solid support beneath a structure or the principle that gives an idea its stability.

Common phrases

  • le fondement de la confiance

    the foundation of trust

  • un fondement solide

    a solid basis

  • les fondements d'une société

    the foundations of a society

Similar words

base: The underlying foundation or supporting structure of something.
fond: The deepest underlying part that supports something.

Definition in French

Base solide, matérielle ou abstraite, sur laquelle quelque chose repose ou se construit.

Word origin

The French noun fondement developed from Latin fundamentum and retains the older image of a bottom layer while applying it to abstract bases.

Usage tips

  • Fondement has a more formal register than base in many contexts, especially when discussing principles, institutions, or arguments.

Other meanings

  • basisnoun
  • groundsnoun

Opposites

  • superficialitésuperficialitynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word