keystone

noun

ˈkē-ˌstōn How to pronounce keystone (audio)
Definition of keystonenext
as in cornerstone
an immaterial thing upon which something else rests a sense of history is the keystone to the city's draw as a tourist destination

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of keystone Hartford Bonanza is always meant to be a keystone summer event. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 Tales of what happened at Roswell have grown in the telling so that it’s now seen as a keystone event by many true believers in the alien origins of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026 Housing is the keystone that impacts multiple issues most important to San Jose’s residents. — Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 26 May 2026 And for United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, a keystone habit for leading the $30 billion airline is taking a 20-minute nap on the floor, which his staff initially found bizarre. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for keystone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keystone
  1. cornerstone
  2. basis
  3. foundation
  4. bedrock
Noun
  • Take a left on the president of the Confederacy who made the torture of Black bodies the cornerstone of his new nation.
    — Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Both candidates see modernizing the office’s systems and expanding access to the public as cornerstones of their campaigns.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of cornerstone
Noun
  • Despite his failures to win the big games, Franklin won at a level plenty of schools and fan bases would welcome.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In an attempt to combat the limited water supply, the Puerto Rican government is turning off residents’ access to the necessity on a rotating 48-hour basis.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of basis
Noun
  • Historical background The complexities of Pennsylvania’s system of municipalities go back to its foundation as a colony in the 17th century.
    — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The organization is funded through Howard County government, state and federal grants, private foundations, and contributions from individuals, community groups, the faith community and local businesses.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of foundation
Noun
  • That means people are still making $22,200 less than what's needed to purchase what's often defined as a bedrock of the American Dream while remaining financially comfortable.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Such honesty could be the bedrock for a global effort to both reap the rewards of AI and rein in its worst aspects.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of bedrock

Browse Nearby Words

keys
keystone
keystones
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Cite this Entry

“Keystone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keystone. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on keystone

Nglish: Translation of keystone for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about keystone

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