Founder
ˈfaʊndər
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who brings something into existence; the originator of something, especially an institution or organization.
ˈfaʊndər
A person who establishes an institution or organization.
Steve Jobs was one of the founders of Apple.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're starting a club or a business. The founder is the person who had the brilliant idea and made it happen! They are the ones who make it start.
👶 For kids: A founder is like the person who starts a new club or a game!
More Examples
The founders of the charity dedicated their lives to helping others.
The university's founders envisioned a place of learning accessible to all.
How It's Used
"The founders of the company were honored at the anniversary celebration."
"George Washington is considered a founder of the United States."
To sink; to collapse; to fail. In nautical context, to fill with water and sink. Figuratively, to fail utterly.
ˈfaʊndər
To fail completely; to collapse.
The old ship foundered in the storm.
💡 Simply: Think of a ship that takes on too much water and sinks, or a plan that just completely falls apart. That's what it means to founder! It means to fail, to collapse or to become unable to continue.
👶 For kids: Sometimes when a boat takes in too much water, it can sink. That's kind of like foundering! It means things go wrong.
More Examples
The negotiations foundered over disagreements about funding.
His business plan foundered due to lack of investment.
How It's Used
"The ship foundered in the storm and sank to the bottom of the sea."
"His career foundered due to his poor choices."
Idioms & expressions
The founder of (something)
This phrase refers to the person who started or established something.
"The founder of Google, Larry Page, had a vision to organize the world’s information."
To founder on (something)
This phrase means to fail or collapse due to encountering something.
"The project foundered on disagreements over budget."
From Middle English *foundour*, from Old French *fundeor* (“one who founds, establishes”), from Latin *fundātor* (“founder”), from *fundāre* (“to found, establish”).
The verb 'founder' has been used since the 14th century to describe a ship sinking, and the noun is used to describe the creator or originator of something.
Memory tip
Think of the person who laid the *foundation* for something new.
Word Origin
"to found, establish"