rudiment
noun
ru·di·ment
ˈrü-də-mənt 
1
: a basic principle or element or a fundamental skill
—usually used in plural
teaching themselves the rudiments of rational government—
G. B. Galanti
G. B. GalantiExamples of rudiment in a Sentence
learned the rudiments of mathematics
Recent Examples on the Web
Exposure to music education, beyond the rudiments, all too often becomes a question of whose family can afford expensive private lessons.
—Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
Understanding at least the rudiments of another language gives you a lot of insight into how the people of that culture view the world.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
When the illness had robbed him of the ability to maintain even the rudiments of independent living, Cathy had organized his admittance there.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
The Frankfurt intellectuals’ Marxist faith in working-class resistance and militancy kept them from fully grasping the extent of Hitler’s successful obliteration of even the barest rudiments of political opposition.
—William E. Scheuerman, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013
See All Example Sentences for rudiment
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Matthew Aucoin, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025
Understanding at least the rudiments of another language gives you a lot of insight into how the people of that culture view the world.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
When the illness had robbed him of the ability to maintain even the rudiments of independent living, Cathy had organized his admittance there.
—David Rabe, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2025
The Frankfurt intellectuals’ Marxist faith in working-class resistance and militancy kept them from fully grasping the extent of Hitler’s successful obliteration of even the barest rudiments of political opposition.
—William E. Scheuerman, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2013
See All Example Sentences for rudiment
Cite this Entry
“Rudiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rudiment. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rudiment
noun
ru·di·ment
ˈrüd-ə-mənt
1
: a basic principle or skill
—usually used in plural
the rudiments of grammar
2
a
: something unformed or undeveloped : beginning
—usually used in plural
b
: a body part so underdeveloped in size or structure that it is unable to perform its normal function
Medical Definition
rudiment
noun
ru·di·ment
ˈrüd-ə-mənt
: an incompletely developed organ or part
especially
: an organ or part just beginning to develop : anlage
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