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TAKE THE QUIZfoundation stone
noun
1
: a stone in the foundation of a building
especially
: such a stone laid with public ceremony compare cornerstone
2
: basis, groundwork
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
The building’s foundation stone was engraved with an earlier date, Reitz said.
—
Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2023
On May 12, 1459, the Rajput warrior ruler Rao Jodha laid the first foundation stone of an impregnable fort, atop a jagged cliff of volcanic rock in the Thar Desert of Marwar.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2022
This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination.
—Graham Dunbar, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Nov. 2022
The Princess of Wales made an appearance to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone for the hospital's new children's ambulatory care center, with a vibrant ensemble by fashion designer Catherine Walker.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2022
In 1911, King George V laid the foundation stone of a new capital to be built within Delhi—New Delhi.
—Anandi Mishra, The Atlantic, 30 July 2022
Henry Ford himself laid the foundation stone in 1930, and the first Ford - a Model A truck - rolled off the Cologne production line in 1931.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes, 22 June 2022
The foundation stone for Parnell’s monument was laid in 1899, but by 1904, when Ulysses is set, it had still not been built.
—Fintan O’toole, The Atlantic, 16 June 2022
The letter was dated June 2, one week after Hitler had laid the foundation stone for the Volkswagen factory.
—David De Jong, Forbes, 14 Apr. 2022
See More
Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 20 Jan. 2023
On May 12, 1459, the Rajput warrior ruler Rao Jodha laid the first foundation stone of an impregnable fort, atop a jagged cliff of volcanic rock in the Thar Desert of Marwar.
—Dorothy Wickenden, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2022
This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination.
—Graham Dunbar, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Nov. 2022
The Princess of Wales made an appearance to celebrate the laying of the foundation stone for the hospital's new children's ambulatory care center, with a vibrant ensemble by fashion designer Catherine Walker.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2022
In 1911, King George V laid the foundation stone of a new capital to be built within Delhi—New Delhi.
—Anandi Mishra, The Atlantic, 30 July 2022
Henry Ford himself laid the foundation stone in 1930, and the first Ford - a Model A truck - rolled off the Cologne production line in 1931.
—Michael Taylor, Forbes, 22 June 2022
The foundation stone for Parnell’s monument was laid in 1899, but by 1904, when Ulysses is set, it had still not been built.
—Fintan O’toole, The Atlantic, 16 June 2022
The letter was dated June 2, one week after Hitler had laid the foundation stone for the Volkswagen factory.
—David De Jong, Forbes, 14 Apr. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'foundation stone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near foundation stone
Cite this Entry
“Foundation stone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foundation%20stone. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.
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