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
Legal education is a cornerstone of MLA’s mission.
—
David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
After the snakebitten franchise, famous for losing four straight Super Bowls in the 1990s, finally snapped a miserable 17-season playoff drought in 2017, then drafted franchise cornerstone quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills have been back, baby.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
The most important thing to understand is that any type of aging intervention cannot make an impact if the fundamental, full-proof cornerstones of healthy aging are not optimized, including getting enough sleep, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and moving your body consistently.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2025
His work has inspired generations of designers around the world, and his enduring legacy will remain a cornerstone of fashion history.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
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David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
After the snakebitten franchise, famous for losing four straight Super Bowls in the 1990s, finally snapped a miserable 17-season playoff drought in 2017, then drafted franchise cornerstone quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills have been back, baby.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 6 Sep. 2025
The most important thing to understand is that any type of aging intervention cannot make an impact if the fundamental, full-proof cornerstones of healthy aging are not optimized, including getting enough sleep, eating a balanced, nutritious diet, and moving your body consistently.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Sep. 2025
His work has inspired generations of designers around the world, and his enduring legacy will remain a cornerstone of fashion history.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 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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