ru·di·men·ta·ry
ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē 
-ˈmen-trē
1
: consisting in first principles : fundamental
… had only a rudimentary formal education …—
Daniel J. Boorstin
Daniel J. Boorstin2
: of a primitive kind
… the equipment of these past empire-builders was rudimentary.—A. J. Toynbee
A. J. Toynbee3
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige
the rudimentary tail of a hyrax
ru·di·men·ta·ri·ness
ˌrüdəˈmentərēnə̇s
-rin-
plural -es
: the quality or state of being rudimentary
Examples of rudimentary in a Sentence
Adjective
Because now, every schlemiel with a pair of mirrored sunglasses and a rudimentary grasp of the rules of poker thinks he can play cards with the pros.
—A. J. Jacobs, New York Times Book Review, 8 May 2005
Despite the rudimentary nature of its instruments—an octant, a chronometer and a level—the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a triumph for science and natural history.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, U.S. News & World Report, 11 July 1994
A few were hopeless imbeciles, unable to comprehend more than the rudimentary requirements of filling their bellies when food was placed before them …
—Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Monster Men, 1929
This class requires a rudimentary knowledge of human anatomy.
When baseball was in its rudimentary stages, different teams played by different rules.
Some insects have only rudimentary wings.
A. J. Jacobs, New York Times Book Review, 8 May 2005
Despite the rudimentary nature of its instruments—an octant, a chronometer and a level—the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a triumph for science and natural history.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, U.S. News & World Report, 11 July 1994
A few were hopeless imbeciles, unable to comprehend more than the rudimentary requirements of filling their bellies when food was placed before them …
—Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Monster Men, 1929
This class requires a rudimentary knowledge of human anatomy.
When baseball was in its rudimentary stages, different teams played by different rules.
Some insects have only rudimentary wings.
Recent Examples on the Web
Julian Hayes Ii,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2026
But before long, professors complained that incoming freshmen lacked even rudimentary math skills.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
22 June 2026
According to a short history on the University of Pittsburgh’s website, Freedom House Ambulance Service was established in 1967, when pre-hospital care and emergency medical services were rudimentary, at best.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
The Google Health Coach offers sleep advice, but this guidance is less detailed and more rudimentary than its fitness plans.
—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rudimentary
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Adjective
Many are rudimentary and low-stakes, but the meaningful ones are still buried within the total volume.
—
Julian Hayes Ii,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2026
But before long, professors complained that incoming freshmen lacked even rudimentary math skills.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
22 June 2026
According to a short history on the University of Pittsburgh’s website, Freedom House Ambulance Service was established in 1967, when pre-hospital care and emergency medical services were rudimentary, at best.
—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
The Google Health Coach offers sleep advice, but this guidance is less detailed and more rudimentary than its fitness plans.
—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rudimentary
Cite this Entry
“Rudimentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rudimentary. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rudimentary
adjective
ru·di·men·ta·ry
ˌrüd-ə-ˈment-ə-rē
-ˈmen-trē
2
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a small part compared to the fully developed form
a rudimentary tail
Medical Definition
rudimentary
adjective
ru·di·men·ta·ry
ˌrüd-ə-ˈment-ə-rē, -ˈmen-trē
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige
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