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 foundational adage of Western philosophy asks us to dwell, examine, and look inward for a long time. —Shai Tubali, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026

The decision bars introductory sociology from the state’s general-education catalog — the set of foundational courses all students must complete, regardless of major, across subjects such as math, science, humanities and social sciences. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

But for children and students with communication disorders or speech difficulties, additional support is needed to master this foundational skill that sets them up for success in school, life and relationships. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026

The United States provided the foundational research that made mRNA vaccines possible—decades of NIH grants, private investment, and Operation Warp Speed. —Jeff Coller, Fortune, 26 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