foundational

adjective

foun·​da·​tion·​al fau̇n-ˈdā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

: of, relating to, or forming or serving as a base or foundation : fundamental

foundational principles/doctrines

These foundational volumes proved to be, each in its own way, enabling gestures for the growth of sophisticated theories and critical practices in African, Caribbean, and African American literatures.

—Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Property was, in a sense, foundational to culture, since English political economy rested on the private ownership of land, and the political economy, in turn, largely structured social relations.

—Jill Lepore

Philosophy is a foundational discipline. Not only does it do the spadework that makes the construction of other disciplines possible; it also pays constant attention to the foundations of those disciplines as they are practiced.

—Cognitive Science

foundationally adverb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Marshall’s ruling, including his description of the ward-guardian relationship, is foundational to Indian law and shapes almost every aspect of tribal governance today. —Matt Ford, The New Republic, 23 June 2023

Knowledge and confidence are foundational when making any informed decision, so keep up the good work. —Amy Wagner and Steve Sprovach, The Enquirer, 16 June 2023

People are foundational to success Back in 1999, the idea of Microsoft entering the console space was written off by many, but with the right people and the right insights, the Xbox project became a global phenomenon. —Otto Berkes, Fortune, 16 June 2023

For the 76ers, Sunday’s game, fair or not, set up as something of a referendum on the Process, the team-building exercise that, as one of its foundational pieces, landed them Embiid in the 2014 N.B.A. draft. —Scott Cacciola, New York Times, 14 May 2023

This gaze into the eyes of the other, this glimpse of an animal’s spirit, became a foundational moment in the history of ecological consciousness. —Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 4 May 2023

Below, 18 members of Forbes Technology Council share both important foundational strategies for digital transformation as well as early project suggestions for companies that are ready to get started. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023

This simple choker makes a great foundational piece for any jewelry collection. —Jennifer Jenkins, harpersbazaar.com, 19 Apr. 2023

In much of the adoption world, whose foundational premise is that love is stronger than biology, color-blindness still seemed like a precious and viable ideal. —Larissa MacFarquhar, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above