foundational
adjective
foun·da·tion·al
fau̇n-ˈdā-sh(ə-)nəl 
: of, relating to, or forming or serving as a base or foundation : fundamental
foundational principles/doctrines
These foundational volumes proved to be, each in its own way, enabling gestures for the growth of sophisticated theories and critical practices in African, Caribbean, and African American literatures.—
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.Property was, in a sense, foundational to culture, since English political economy rested on the private ownership of land, and the political economy, in turn, largely structured social relations.—Jill Lepore
Jill LeporePhilosophy is a foundational discipline. Not only does it do the spadework that makes the construction of other disciplines possible; it also pays constant attention to the foundations of those disciplines as they are practiced.—Cognitive Science
Cognitive Science
foundationally
adverb
Examples of foundational in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Knowing the role of the board, the responsibilities of directors, and the difference between oversight and interference is foundational.
—Keith D. Dorsey, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Upon taking over starting duties full-time in his second season, Hurts quickly emerged as a foundational piece to the Eagles franchise.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
The Atlantic World became one of our foundational courses.
—Brooke Allen, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Nearly 12 decades later, traveling trophies remain a foundational part of Big Ten football, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Minnesota.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 10 July 2025
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Keith D. Dorsey, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Upon taking over starting duties full-time in his second season, Hurts quickly emerged as a foundational piece to the Eagles franchise.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
The Atlantic World became one of our foundational courses.
—Brooke Allen, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Nearly 12 decades later, traveling trophies remain a foundational part of Big Ten football, and nowhere is that more apparent than in Minnesota.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for foundational
Cite this Entry
“Foundational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foundational. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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