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
Historical memory and preservation are the cornerstones of the two-year, $25 million restoration of the 100-year-old Freedom Tower on Biscayne Boulevard.
—
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
That philosophy is the cornerstone of Maddalena's programs, which prioritize clarity, presence, and energy.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
The first 21 satellites in a constellation that could become a cornerstone for the Pentagon's Golden Dome missile-defense shield were successfully launched from California on Wednesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Ars reports.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The Alliance with the United States is a key pillar of our national security policy and the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
That philosophy is the cornerstone of Maddalena's programs, which prioritize clarity, presence, and energy.
—Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
The first 21 satellites in a constellation that could become a cornerstone for the Pentagon's Golden Dome missile-defense shield were successfully launched from California on Wednesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Ars reports.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
The Alliance with the United States is a key pillar of our national security policy and the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 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 16 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share