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

Dallas will host the Toyota Antelopes from Japan next Saturday as the Wings start what the franchise hopes is a foundational season. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 3 May 2025

That is why psychological safety is foundational to good leadership. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

Its scientists have provided foundational research into some of the country's most challenging environmental problems. —Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 2 May 2025

Still, these numeric puzzles remain a foundational component of everything from calculating planetary orbits to computer programming. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foundational

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