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

Build strength with foundational movement patterns Early resistance training should focus on foundational movement patterns that support daily life. —Dana Santas Feb 28, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026

Still, the foundational skin-care product shouldn’t be an afterthought—particularly in a regimen for aging skin. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2026

As real estate portfolios continue integrating IoT frameworks, predictive analytics, and sustainability mandates, the ability to verify mechanical performance in real time may become foundational to operational governance. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026

Those songs were foundational to the movie, as prior to its filming, producer, songwriter and musician T Bone Burnett assembled a group of artists to create the movie’s 19-song soundtrack. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Feb. 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