Foundations consisting of vertical structural members that are forced into the ground by impact (from a machine called a pile driver). Some early structures utilized wood piles, but steel and concrete became more practical at the beginning of the 20th century. Piles can be driven to bedrock, or more commonly, to refusal (that is, until underlying soil resists the pile being driven significantly further into the soil).

The defining construction method is impact driving of vertical members. Drilled, cast-in-place supports have the separate caisson foundation meaning here.

The driven members can bear on rock or obtain support within soil. Contact with bedrock is not required in every pile foundation.