cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn 
1
: a stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall
specifically
: such a stone laid at a formal ceremony
2
: a basic element : foundation
a cornerstone of foreign policy
Synonyms
Examples of cornerstone in a Sentence
Officials held a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for a new library.
Trust is the cornerstone of their relationship.
Recent Examples on the Web
The complexities of child stardom, however, form the cornerstone for the novel.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
At the cornerstone of this epic tale are tour-de-force performances from Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce, who demand audiences answer the question: is the destination worth the journey?
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
Trump has made halting federal funding for EV adoption a cornerstone of his agenda.
—Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 7 Feb. 2025
Football had changed since his debut, where athleticism and high pressing were now cornerstones of an attacker’s role and growing muscular problems hampered his ability to adapt.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cornerstone 
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Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025
At the cornerstone of this epic tale are tour-de-force performances from Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce, who demand audiences answer the question: is the destination worth the journey?
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
Trump has made halting federal funding for EV adoption a cornerstone of his agenda.
—Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 7 Feb. 2025
Football had changed since his debut, where athleticism and high pressing were now cornerstones of an attacker’s role and growing muscular problems hampered his ability to adapt.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cornerstone
Dictionary Entries Near cornerstone
Cite this Entry
“Cornerstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornerstone. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn
1
: a stone forming part of a corner in a wall
2
: something of basic importance
the cornerstone of our foreign policy
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