bedrock

1 of 2

noun

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˌräk 

-ˈräk

1

: the solid rock underlying unconsolidated surface materials (such as soil)

2

a

: lowest point

b

: basis

bedrock

2 of 2

adjective

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˌräk 

: solidly fundamental, basic, or reliable

traditional bedrock values

a bedrock constituency

Synonyms of bedrock

Noun

• foundation
• basis
• cornerstone

Examples of bedrock in a Sentence

Noun

They dug down for 10 feet before they hit bedrock.

His religious beliefs are the bedrock on which his life is based.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But such arguments are unlikely to resonate with voters who have come to believe that many of these norms and processes have abandoned the country’s bedrock values. —Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026

But in reality, the Falcon 9 rocket is the bedrock of SpaceX’s success today. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

Adjective

From that concern emerged what was then, and remains, an uncontroversial, bedrock moral principle. —Austin Sarat, Fortune, 24 May 2026

Policies led by La Follette are now bedrock principles in American politics. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bedrock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk
• graywacke

Kids Definition

bedrock

noun

bed·​rock

ˈbed-ˌräk

1

: the solid rock lying under surface materials (as soil) that are not in layers

2

: a solid foundation