Definition of fundamental
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function : basic
Responsibility is fundamental to democracy. The Constitution ensures our fundamental rights.
b
: serving as an original or generating source : primary
a discovery fundamental to modern computers
2a
: of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts : radical
fundamental change
also
: of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application
fundamental science
b
: adhering to fundamentalism
a preacher who is evangelical, Bible-teaching, and fundamental
3
: of central importance : principal
fundamental purpose such fundamental events as birth, marriage, and death
4
: belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics : deep-rooted
her fundamental good humor
5
: of, relating to, or produced by the lowest component of a complex vibration (see vibration sense 1)
fundamental
nounDefinition of fundamental (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: something fundamental
especially
: one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is
2a
: the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics is based
b
: the root of a chord
3
: the harmonic component of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly the greatest amplitude
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for fundamental
The first known use of fundamental was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century