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
Cow as a political tool The elevation of the cow from a religious symbol to an expression of national pride has been a cornerstone of the BJP’s agenda.
—
Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025
Universal pre-K became de Blasio’s cornerstone achievement, but the lasting feud with Cuomo remained a problem, even compromising the city’s plans to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
Trump officials view collaboration from local police departments as a cornerstone of the White House’s mass deportation agenda.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025
The program, which serves about one in eight Americans and costs roughly $8 billion a month, is a cornerstone of the nation’s social safety net.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
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Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025
Universal pre-K became de Blasio’s cornerstone achievement, but the lasting feud with Cuomo remained a problem, even compromising the city’s plans to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
Trump officials view collaboration from local police departments as a cornerstone of the White House’s mass deportation agenda.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025
The program, which serves about one in eight Americans and costs roughly $8 billion a month, is a cornerstone of the nation’s social safety net.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
Cite this Entry
“Cornerstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornerstone. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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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