Verb
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lay, foundation.
(law) To elicit information from a witness to show that the witness has knowledge of a matter before the witness testifies to the matter itself.
In order to lay a foundation for the witness to describe the murder, the prosecutor first had to show that the witness was present when the murder occurred.
(figuratively) To make a start.
You should lay a foundation, even if you can't finish the project.
Inuring children gently to suffer some degrees of pain without shrinking, is a way to gain firmness to their minds, and lay a foundation for courage and resolution in the future part of their lives. John Locke
Before you lay a foundation on the cricket field, there should be a solid foundation in your heart and you start building on that. After that as you start playing more and more matches, you learn how to score runs and how to take wickets. Sachin Tendulkar
A recommendation is gone thither for raising some regiments of Blacks. This, I suppose will lay a foundation for the emancipation of those wretches in that country. I hope it will be the means of dispensing the blessings of Freedom to all the human race in America. William Whipple
Conscious of our many problems, I seek today to lay a foundation to our public policy. My fundamental purpose is to devote my term of office to raising the standard of public service in New Jersey. Charles Edison
Songs lay a foundation of who I am going to be forever. Jessie J