rudiment

noun

ru·​di·​ment ˈrü-də-mənt 

1

: a basic principle or element or a fundamental skill

—usually used in plural

… he had spent several hours educating me on the rudiments of living in the wilderness, alone.

—Ed Caesar

teaching themselves the rudiments of rational government

—G. B. Galanti

2

a

: something unformed or undeveloped : beginning

—usually used in plural

the rudiments of a plan

b(1)

: a body part so deficient in size or structure as to be entirely unable to perform its normal function

(2)

: an organ just beginning to develop : anlage

rudimental

ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tᵊl 

adjective

Synonyms of rudiment

• principles
• elements
• grammar

Examples of rudiment in a Sentence

learned the rudiments of mathematics

Recent Examples on the Web

Very few received even the rudiments of an academic education. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

His object is to isolate and mimic the rudiments of human sociability. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin rudimentum beginning, from rudis raw, rude

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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