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Definition of "underpin" []

  • To support from below, as with props, girders, or masonry. (verb-transitive)
  • To give support or substance to: "the public awareness that must underpin a sustained and concerted development effort for Africa and its youth” ( Barber B. Conable). (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "underpin" in a sentence
  • "Students must often 'underpin' their essays with it."
  • "We've picked up a lot of product wins over the last several years with our key customers that kind of underpin it, but we haven't seen a market or systemic change across Cardiac Rhythm Management that is different from before."
  • "The company plans A$3. 8 billion in capital spending through fiscal 2012, mainly to underpin the growth of its coal and iron-ore freight business."