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
This trend suggests that people aren’t just stopping at the basics, but are building on foundational skills.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026
Jazz has always been a foundational influence for you.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Sensory receptors act as evolutionary hotspots that can either preserve recognition among members of the same species, or limit interspecies mating, playing a foundational role in Earth’s biodiversity.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
For Williams, that history was foundational.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foundational
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.
Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026
Jazz has always been a foundational influence for you.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Sensory receptors act as evolutionary hotspots that can either preserve recognition among members of the same species, or limit interspecies mating, playing a foundational role in Earth’s biodiversity.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026
For Williams, that history was foundational.
—Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foundational
Cite this Entry
“Foundational.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foundational. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
