cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn 
1
: a stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall
specifically
: such a stone laid at a formal ceremony
2
: a basic element : foundation
a cornerstone of foreign policy
Examples of cornerstone in a Sentence
Officials held a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for a new library.
Trust is the cornerstone of their relationship.
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s because a cornerstone concern is not necessarily Take Your Kid to Polio Day.
—
Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines, but the Lacks family wasn’t compensated along the way despite that incalculable impact on science and medicine.
—CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines, but the Lacks family wasn't compensated along the way despite that incalculable impact on science and medicine.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The 19th century witnessed an explosion of interest in esoteric traditions, and tarot became a cornerstone of this mystical revival.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
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Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines, but the Lacks family wasn’t compensated along the way despite that incalculable impact on science and medicine.
—CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026
HeLa cells became a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of genetic mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines, but the Lacks family wasn't compensated along the way despite that incalculable impact on science and medicine.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The 19th century witnessed an explosion of interest in esoteric traditions, and tarot became a cornerstone of this mystical revival.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
Cite this Entry
“Cornerstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornerstone. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn
1
: a stone forming part of a corner in a wall
2
: something of basic importance
the cornerstone of our foreign policy
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