Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To establish or bring into existence, especially by providing an initial endowment or base: To create and set in operation something new, such as an institution, organization, or city.
   • To lay the groundwork or basis for something: To serve as the base or fundamental principle upon which something is built or developed.
   • To melt and pour (metal or glass) into a mold: To shape an object by casting molten material.

2. Adjective:

   • Discovered or obtained, especially after searching: Describing something that has been located or come upon. (This is the past participle of the verb 'find').

3. Noun (archaic):

   • Food and lodging provided in addition to wages.

Usage Examples

• Verb (To establish):
  • They plan to found a new research institute next year.
  • The university was founded in the 18th century.
• Verb (To base on):
  • Her theory is founded on years of careful observation.
  • The accusation is not founded on any evidence.
• Verb (To cast metal):
  • The bell was founded in a local workshop over a century ago.
• Adjective (Discovered):
  • The found manuscript provided new insights into the author's life. (Here, 'found' is used as an adjective derived from 'find').

Advanced Usage

• "To be founded on/upon": To have something as a basis or justification.
  • A lasting relationship must be founded on trust and respect.
• "Newly-founded": Recently established.
  • She got a job at a newly-founded tech startup.

Variants and Related Words

• Founder (n): A person who establishes an institution, organization, or settlement.
  • He is a founder of the company.
• Foundation (n):
  • The basis or groundwork of anything.

    • This course lays the foundation for advanced study.
  • An institution established with an endowment.

    • She works for a charitable foundation.
• Foundry (n): A workshop or factory for casting metal.
  • The old iron foundry has been converted into apartments.

Synonyms

• Establish: To set up on a firm or permanent basis.
• Institute: To set in motion or establish.
• Create: To bring into existence.
• Base: To use as a foundation or starting point.
• Cast: To shape molten metal by pouring it into a mold.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Constructions

• Found on/upon: To use something as the basis for an idea, argument, or institution.
  • The case was founded upon a key witness's testimony.

Related Idioms

• Well-founded: Based on good reasons or reliable evidence.
  • Your concerns about the project are well-founded.
• Ill-founded: Not based on fact or good reasons.
  • His criticism of the plan was completely ill-founded.

Adjective

1. come upon unexpectedly or after searching
   • found art
   • the lost-and-found department

Noun

1. food and lodging provided in addition to money
   • they worked for $30 and found

Verb

1. use as a basis for; found on
   • base a claim on some observation
2. set up or lay the groundwork for
   • establish a new department
3. set up or found
   • She set up a literacy program