bedrock

1 of 2

noun

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˈräk 

-ˌräk

1

: the solid rock underlying unconsolidated surface materials (such as soil)

2

a

: lowest point

b

: basis

bedrock

2 of 2

adjective

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˌräk 

: solidly fundamental, basic, or reliable

traditional bedrock values

a bedrock constituency

Synonyms

Noun

• base
• basis
• bottom
• cornerstone
• footing
• foundation
• ground
• groundwork
• keystone
• root
• underpinning
• warp
• warp and woof

Examples of bedrock in a Sentence

Noun

They dug down for 10 feet before they hit bedrock.

His religious beliefs are the bedrock on which his life is based.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His leadership and tenacity were the bedrock of the dominant Raider teams of the 1960s and 70s. —Roland Oputa, The Mercury News, 30 May 2024

Access to free and fair elections is the bedrock of a just and democratic society that values equality and justice and must be protected at all costs. —Baltimore Sun Media, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2024

Adjective

In short, Russian and separatist forces quickly encountered the region’s bedrock Ukrainian identity, laid by centuries of migration from the country’s central heartland. —Brian Milakovsky, Foreign Affairs, 31 Mar. 2022

It’s this bedrock principle of modern American life that the court treats with great skepticism. —Zachary M. Seward, Quartz, 1 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1873, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bedrock

noun

bed·​rock

ˈbed-ˌräk

1

: the solid rock lying under surface materials (as soil) that are not in layers

2

: a solid foundation