foundational

adjective

foun·​da·​tion·​al fau̇n-ˈdā-sh(ə-)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

Examples of foundational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Central control over a foundational asset has coexisted for decades with an exceptionally successful market economy. — Joao Gomes, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Yet too many young Baltimoreans face a gap between their ambition and the foundational skills, exposure, training, credentials and networks that lead to family-supporting careers. — Shanaysha Sauls, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026

Specifically, staff and faculty union members are seeking a contract that protects against artificial intelligence, reduces student barriers to education, provides free foundational and noncredit courses, and has smaller class sizes. — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

And the trailblazing works of Rubén Martínez will always be foundational. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foundational

• formational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational
• vocational