undergird

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˌʌndəˈɡɜːd/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(un′dər gûrd′)

Inflections of 'undergird' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
undergirds
v 3rd person singular
undergirding
v pres p
undergirded
v past
undergirt
v past (Less common)
undergirded
v past p
undergirt
v past p (Less common)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
un•der•gird  (un′dər gûrd′),USA pronunciation v.t., -gird•ed or -girt, -gird•ing. 
  1. to strengthen;
    secure, as by passing a rope or chain under and around:to undergird a top-heavy load.
  2. to give fundamental support;
    provide with a sound or secure basis:ethics undergirded by faith.
  • under- + gird 1520–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
undergird /ˌʌndəˈɡɜːd/ vb ( -girds, -girding, -girded, -girt)
  1. (transitive) to strengthen or reinforce by passing a rope, cable, or chain around the underside of (an object, load, etc)
Etymology: 16th Century: from under- + gird1

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