# lay a foundation

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lay, foundation.
2. To elicit information from a witness to show that the witness has knowledge of a matter before the witness testifies to the matter itself.
3. To make a start.

## Etymology
Figurative senses from the idea of laying a foundation as the first step in constructing a building.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lay-a-foundation