Foundation

noun

1. The act of founding, fixing, establishing, or beginning to erect.

   "The foundation of his institute has been wrought with difficulty."

2. 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.
3. The result of the work to begin something; that which stabilizes and allows an enterprise or system to develop.
4. 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.
5. 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."