What is the term for the lower or supporting part of a monument?

The term that refers to the lower or supporting part of a monument is "base." In architectural terminology, the base serves as the foundational element that supports the structure above it, providing stability and often enhancing the visual aesthetics of the monument.

The base is integral to ensuring that the entire monument remains secure, redistributing weight and adhering to design principles that balance proportion and scale. When considering many types of monuments, the base may take various forms, but it typically acts as the crucial starting point that elevates the feature above ground level, making it more visible and prominent.

While "pedestal" and "plinth" also refer to supporting structures within architectural contexts, they have more specific definitions and uses that often overlap with but do not entirely encapsulate the broader term "base." A pedestal can refer to the support for a statue or a column, emphasizing the object's display rather than a standalone monument, while a plinth typically denotes a flat base or platform that a structure rests on, often used interchangeably with pedestal but sometimes indicating a different architectural context. "Dome" refers to a curved roof or ceiling and does not align with the concept of supporting the lower portion of a monument.