underpin

[ uhn-der-pin ]
See synonyms for: underpinunderpinnedunderpinning on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),un·der·pinned, un·der·pin·ning.
  1. to prop up or support from below; strengthen, as by reinforcing a foundation.

  2. to replace or strengthen the foundation of (a building or the like).

  1. to furnish a foundation for; corroborate: The author's conclusions are underpinned by references to experimental findings.

Origin of underpin

1
First recorded in 1515–25; under- + pin

Words Nearby underpin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use underpin in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for underpin

underpin

/ (ˌʌndəˈpɪn) /


verb-pins, -pinning or -pinned (tr)
  1. to support from beneath, esp by a prop, while avoiding damaging or weakening the superstructure: to underpin a wall

  2. to give corroboration, strength, or support to

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012