foundational

adjective

foun·​da·​tion·​al fau̇n-ˈdā-sh(ə-)nəl 

: of, relating to, or forming or serving as a base or foundation : fundamental

foundational principles/doctrines

These foundational volumes proved to be, each in its own way, enabling gestures for the growth of sophisticated theories and critical practices in African, Caribbean, and African American literatures.

—Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Property was, in a sense, foundational to culture, since English political economy rested on the private ownership of land, and the political economy, in turn, largely structured social relations.

—Jill Lepore

Philosophy is a foundational discipline. Not only does it do the spadework that makes the construction of other disciplines possible; it also pays constant attention to the foundations of those disciplines as they are practiced.

—Cognitive Science

foundationally adverb

Examples of foundational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This program first captures students’ imaginations with the magic of books, while imparting important foundational science and conservation lessons. —Nancy S. Grasmick, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2026

After all, trust is foundational in parenting. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 14 Mar. 2026

Katharine did give us the foundational science, even if her version of the glass was too soft to commercialize. —Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026

This designation is a foundational step in formalizing our vision for a premier Musical District. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foundational

• formational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• nonrational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational