Foundation vs. Basis — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 22, 2024
Foundation refers to a structural support, origin, or basis of something, crucial for stability, while basis is a specific underlying principle or reason supporting an idea or action.
Difference Between Foundation and Basis
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Foundation is often associated with physical structures or metaphorically with the underlying support systems of concepts and organizations; while basis typically refers to the fundamental principles or reasons that underpin arguments, decisions, or theories.
Foundations are usually concrete, providing the necessary support to maintain the stability and integrity of a building or structure, whereas the basis of something is more abstract, forming the reasoning or justification behind actions or beliefs.
In terms of construction, a foundation must be solid and durable, directly influencing the longevity and safety of the structure it supports; on the other hand, the basis of an argument or theory can be flexible and subject to change as new information or insights become available.
Foundations are critical in fields like architecture, engineering, and construction, providing the starting point and essential support; while the basis is crucial in fields such as law, philosophy, and science, where it grounds theories, laws, or practices.
While a foundation is something that is built upon, a basis is something that explains or justifies. For example, educational curriculums are designed on the foundation of developmental psychology, while their justification or basis might be to enhance cognitive skills in students.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The lowest load-bearing part of a building
The underlying support or principle
Context
Physical and metaphorical (structures, concepts)
Abstract (arguments, theories)
Nature
Concrete and crucial for stability
Abstract and crucial for justification
Fields of Relevance
Construction, architecture, organizational theory
Law, philosophy, science, education
Stability
Physical and enduring
Conceptual and potentially changeable
Compare with Definitions
Foundation
A body or ground on which other parts rest or are overlaid.
The constitution forms the foundation of the legal system.
Basis
The justification for or reasoning behind something.
The judge’s decision was on the basis of insufficient evidence.
Foundation
An underlying basis or principle for something.
Trust is the foundation of a strong relationship.
Basis
The fundamental principle or underlying concept of something.
Mutual respect is the basis of their partnership.
Foundation
The base on which a structure rests.
The engineers checked the foundation to ensure it could support the skyscraper.
Basis
The main ingredient or primary substance used in a mixture.
Flour is the basis for many types of bread.
Foundation
A cosmetic cream applied to the face to create an even tone.
She applied foundation before the rest of her makeup.
Basis
A set condition or premise from which something is regulated.
The contract sets forth the basis for their business relationship.
Foundation
An institution supported by an endowment.
The foundation awards scholarships to talented students.
Basis
A fixed point or reference for a process or measurement.
The study uses 1990 as the basis for the climate comparison.
Foundation
The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level
Foundations were being dug for a block of flats
Build the arch resting on top of this solid foundation
Basis
A fact or circumstance on which something is established
Rumors with no basis in reality.
Foundation
An underlying basis or principle
Physics, the foundation of all the sciences
Without stability, the country will not be able hold the elections that will lay the foundation for a peaceful and democratic future
This idea is the foundation of all modern economics
Basis
A physical base or foundation.
Foundation
The action of establishing an institution or organization
The foundation of a civil service college
Basis
A starting point, base or foundation for an argument or hypothesis.
Foundation
The act of founding, especially the establishment of an institution with provisions for future maintenance.
Basis
An underlying condition or circumstance.
Foundation
(Architecture) A wall or other structure, as of concrete or masonry, usually extending below ground level and forming the base upon which a building rests.
Basis
A regular frequency.
You should brush your teeth on a daily basis at minimum.
The flights to Fiji leave on a weekly basis.
Cars must be checked on a yearly basis.
Foundation
Something that gives rise to or supports something else.
Basis
The difference between the cash price a dealer pays to a farmer for his produce and an agreed reference price, which is usually the futures price at which the given crop is trading at a commodity exchange.
Foundation
The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect.
The foundation of his institute has been wrought with difficulty.
Basis
(linear algebra) In a vector space, a linearly independent set of vectors spanning the whole vector space.
Foundation
That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest and supporting layer of a superstructure; underbuilding.
Basis
(accounting) Amount paid for an investment, including commissions and other expenses.
Foundation
(figurative) The result of the work to begin something; that which stabilizes and allows an enterprise or system to develop.
Basis
(topology) A collection of subsets ("basis elements") of a set, such that this collection covers the set, and for any two basis elements which both contain an element of the set, there is a third basis element contained in the intersection of the first two, which also contains that element.
The collection of all possible unions of basis elements of a basis is said to be the topology generated by that basis.
Foundation
(card games) In solitaire or patience games, one of the piles of cards that the player attempts to build, usually holding all cards of a suit in ascending order.
Basis
The foundation of anything; that on which a thing rests.
Foundation
(architecture) The lowest and supporting part or member of a wall, including the base course and footing courses; in a frame house, the whole substructure of masonry.
The foundations of this construction have been laid out.
Basis
The pedestal of a column, pillar, or statue.
If no basis bear my rising name.
Foundation
A donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment.
Basis
The groundwork; the first or fundamental principle; that which supports.
The basis of public credit is good faith.
Foundation
That which is founded, or established by endowment; an endowed institution or charity.
The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. is the parent organization of the Wiktionary collaborative project.
Basis
The principal component part of a thing.
Foundation
(cosmetics) Cosmetic cream roughly skin-colored, designed to make the face appear uniform in color and texture.
Basis
A relation that provides the foundation for something;
They were on a friendly footing
He worked on an interim basis
Foundation
A basis for social bodies or intellectual disciplines.
Basis
The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained;
The whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
Foundation
The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect.
Basis
The most important or necessary part of something;
The basis of this drink is orange juice
Foundation
That upon which anything is founded; that on which anything stands, and by which it is supported; the lowest and supporting layer of a superstructure; groundwork; basis.
Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a stone . . . a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.
The foundation of a free common wealth.
Foundation
A donation or legacy appropriated to support a charitable institution, and constituting a permanent fund; endowment.
He was entered on the foundation of Westminster.
Foundation
That which is founded, or established by endowment; an endowed institution or charity; as, the Ford Foundation.
Against the canon laws of our foundation.
Foundation
The basis on which something is grounded;
There is little foundation for his objections
Foundation
An institution supported by an endowment
Foundation
The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained;
The whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture
Foundation
Lowest support of a structure;
It was built on a base of solid rock
He stood at the foot of the tower
Foundation
Education or instruction in the fundamentals of a field of knowledge;
He lacks the foundation necessary for advanced study
A good grounding in mathematics
Foundation
A woman's undergarment worn to give shape to the contours of the body
Foundation
The act of starting something for the first time; introducing something new;
She looked forward to her initiation as an adult
The foundation of a new scientific society
He regards the fork as a modern introduction
Common Curiosities
What is the importance of a foundation in architecture?
A foundation is crucial in architecture as it ensures the stability and durability of a structure.
What does foundation mean in a building?
In a building, the foundation is the lowest part that provides structural support.
What are examples of foundations in society?
Foundations in society include institutions like schools and hospitals that support community welfare.
Can a legal argument have multiple bases?
Yes, a legal argument can have multiple bases if it draws on different laws or precedents.
Can basis and foundation be used interchangeably?
While they can overlap in meaning, basis is more about reasoning or principles, and foundation often refers to structural or fundamental support.
How does the basis of an argument affect its strength?
The strength of an argument largely depends on the solidity and relevance of its basis.
What role does basis play in scientific research?
In scientific research, the basis forms the underlying principle or hypothesis that guides the study.
Why is foundation important in makeup?
In makeup, foundation is important for creating a smooth, even base for other products.
How does the basis of a theory influence its acceptance?
The acceptance of a theory often depends on how convincingly its basis can be proved or argued.
Is a strong foundation important for business success?
Yes, a strong foundation, such as a solid business plan and capital structure, is essential for business success.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
