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

The private setting allows for deeper commitment to foundational improvements. —Dennis Kozak, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

The negotiation phase involves creating and adopting a conceptual agreement, a foundational document outlining the framework for becoming a city. —Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025

But the notion of the most powerful sports entity of all, at least in the U.S., owning 10% of Disney’s foundational sports division represents a major breakthrough. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025

The college is also offering foundational classes on AI usage. —Sydney Sasser, Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 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