foundation stone

noun

1

: a stone in the foundation of a building

especially : such a stone laid with public ceremony compare cornerstone

2

: basis, groundwork

Examples of foundation stone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a symbolic step for the project, community members gathered on May 31 under a tent on the land for a foundation stone laying ceremony. —Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026

There is a much celebrated photo of Carvajal, aged 12, laying the ceremonial foundation stone for their training ground, accompanied by the legendary Alfredo di Stefano. —Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026

At a ceremony in 2021, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó laid the foundation stone of the new terminal. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026

British sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is the veritable foundation stone necessary to effectively achieve its defense purposes. —Sandeep Gopalan, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for foundation stone

• aldosterone
• anticyclone
• hydrocodone
• progesterone
• testosterone
• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone