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
Recognized as the official state handcraft of South Carolina since 2006, this coastal art form has endured for over 300 years and remains a cornerstone of the Gullah.
—
Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The event was seen as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a major international film and TV hub, which in turn was a pole of the country’s 2030 strategy aimed at opening the country up and shifting the economy away from a reliance on oil.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 June 2026
Public safety has emerged as one of the cornerstones of Pratt's platform.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Defensive organization was the cornerstone of Morocco’s run to the semi-finals in the last World Cup, and their compactness without the ball is still a strength under their new head coach.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
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Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
The event was seen as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a major international film and TV hub, which in turn was a pole of the country’s 2030 strategy aimed at opening the country up and shifting the economy away from a reliance on oil.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 6 June 2026
Public safety has emerged as one of the cornerstones of Pratt's platform.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Defensive organization was the cornerstone of Morocco’s run to the semi-finals in the last World Cup, and their compactness without the ball is still a strength under their new head coach.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 5 June 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 11 Jun. 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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