Founded
/ˈfaʊndɪd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo bring something into existence; to establish.
/ˈfaʊndɪd/
To establish or create an organization, institution, or settlement.
The university was founded in the 19th century.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're starting a club or a business. When you set it up for the first time, you've *founded* it! It's like the 'birth' of something.
👶 For kids: When you *founded* something, it's like you made it start. Like if you founded a club, you made the club!
More Examples
She founded a non-profit organization to help children.
He founded the company with a small loan.
How It's Used
"He founded a successful software company."
"The city was founded in 1788."
To base something or have its beginning in.
/ˈfaʊndɪd/
To base something on a particular idea or principle.
His theory is founded on extensive research.
💡 Simply: Think of a building. The foundation is what it's all *founded* on, meaning the base or main idea. The whole house relies on this base.
👶 For kids: When something is *founded* on something, it means it starts from that thing, like a building starts from the ground.
More Examples
Their partnership was founded on mutual respect.
The argument was founded on several key assumptions.
How It's Used
"The argument is founded on faulty assumptions."
"His claim was founded on evidence presented in court."
Synonyms
From Middle English founden, from Old French fonder ('to lay a foundation'), from Latin fundō ('to establish, found'), from fundus ('bottom, base').
The word 'founded' has been used since the 14th century to describe the action of establishing or creating something. Early usage often referred to the establishment of religious institutions.
Memory tip
Think of 'ground' – to found is to put something on solid ground and start it.