Founded: meaning, definitions and examples

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founded

 

[ ˈfaʊndɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

business

To establish or set up an organization, especially a company or institution.

Synonyms

create, establish, set-up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
founded

Used when referring to the beginning or creation of an organization, institution, or settlement, often with a sense of history.

  • The university was founded in 1819.
  • She founded the charity to help children in need.
establish

Often used in formal or professional contexts when referring to the creation of systems, organizations, or procedures, emphasizing the stability and permanence.

  • The company was established in 1990.
  • They aim to establish a new standard for quality.
create

Used for making something exist that did not exist before, often referring to a wide range of things like stories, art, products, or ideas.

  • He wants to create a new app.
  • They created a beautiful painting together.
set-up

Used informally to describe the arrangement of equipment, systems, or temporary structures, or when referring to the initiation of activities.

  • She set-up her new computer.
  • We set-up a stand at the market.

Examples of usage

  • He founded his own company in 2005.
  • The university was founded in 1872.
Context #2 | Verb

history

To lay the groundwork for something that is to come.

Synonyms

establish, institute, originate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
founded

Used when referring to the origin or beginning of an organization, institution, or settlement, typically in the past.

  • Harvard University was founded in 1636.
  • The city was founded by settlers in the early 19th century.
establish

Used when describing the act of setting up an organization, system, or set of rules that is intended to last for a long time.

  • They established a new company to manufacture eco-friendly products.
  • The government plans to establish new guidelines for healthcare.
originate

Used when discussing the point or place where something begins or is derived from, often used in a more abstract or less formal sense.

  • The tradition is believed to have originated in ancient Rome.
  • This recipe originated from my grandmother.
institute

Typically used in formal or professional contexts, referring to the creation or initiation of a new law, policy, or system.

  • The university decided to institute a new scholarship program.
  • The school board instituted a policy to reduce bullying.

Examples of usage

  • The city was founded on principles of equality and justice.
  • The organization was founded on the idea of promoting art and culture.

Translations

Translations of the word "founded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fundado

🇮🇳 स्थापित

🇩🇪 gegründet

🇮🇩 didirikan

🇺🇦 заснований

🇵🇱 założony

🇯🇵 設立された

🇫🇷 fondé

🇪🇸 fundado

🇹🇷 kurulmuş

🇰🇷 설립된

🇸🇦 مؤسس

🇨🇿 založený

🇸🇰 založený

🇨🇳 创立

🇸🇮 ustanovljen

🇮🇸 stofnað

🇰🇿 негізделген

🇬🇪 დაარსებული

🇦🇿 əsaslandırılmış

🇲🇽 fundado

Etymology

The word 'founded' comes from the Middle English word 'founden', which is derived from the Old French word 'fondre' meaning 'to melt, cast, or found'. The use of 'founded' to mean 'to establish' dates back to the 14th century. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass the idea of laying the groundwork or creating something new.

See also: foundable, foundation, foundational, founder, founders, foundling, profound, unfounded.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,253, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.