1. past participle of underlie; to be situated beneath or form the foundation of something
Usage: past participle form

Examples

• The city is underlain by solid bedrock.
• The theory is underlain by years of careful research.
• The coastal plain is underlain by layers of sedimentary rock.
• Her confidence was underlain by extensive preparation.
• The building’s foundation is underlain by concrete pilings.
• The region is underlain by rich deposits of coal.