fundament

noun fun·da·ment \ ˈfən-də-mənt \

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

Definition of fundament

1 : an underlying ground, theory, or principle

2 a : buttocks

b : anus

3 : the part of a land surface that has not been altered by human activities

Examples of fundament in a Sentence

a naked fundament was clearly visible for an instant in the movie

Recent Examples of fundament from the Web

He is particularly concerned about Trump’s attack on institutions that are fundaments of democracy, like a free press, an independent judiciary, the legitimacy of elections, and the importance of honesty.

— annie linskey, BostonGlobe.com, "In the era of Donald Trump, New England’s biggest GOP donor is funding Democrats," 15 Apr. 2018
For me, there is a lot of personal emotion in the record that is deep down to the core, but also the true fundaments of being in the studio.

— taylor weatherby, Billboard, "Jerrod Niemann Talks Recording 'More From the Heart, Less From the Liver' For New Album 'This Ride': First Listen," 5 Oct. 2017
But in the fundaments of its setting — moral compromise by a gringo in Mexico — Caputo ventures into crowded territory.

— simon akam, New York Times, "In Mexico’s Violent Drug World, a Priest’s Dilemma Over the Seal of Confession," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fundament.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fundament

borrowed from Latin fundāmentum "foundation, basis," from fundāre "to establish, ⁴found" + -mentum -ment; replacing earlier and Middle English foundement, borrowed from Anglo-French fundement, fondement, borrowed from Latin fundāmentum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year