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

Governments must embed foundational learning in national plans and protect domestic budgets. —Obiageli Ezekwesili, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025

Because this is a foundational moment for our young players. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Oct. 2025

This work is a foundational step toward applying insights from fundamental physics to the empirical study of human creativity and complex decision-making processes. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025

The policy reflected foundational beliefs. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 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