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
These reserves, mainly invested in short-term U.S. Treasuries, generate dependable, scalable interest income — providing a foundational revenue stream.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The script, while foundational, was heavily improvised.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Throughout, the novel chips away at its foundational questions: Does there exist a punishment equal to the atrocity of killing one’s child?
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Rebuilding Digital Trust from the Chip Up This is a foundational shift in how digital identity is handled.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 7 June 2025
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
The script, while foundational, was heavily improvised.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
Throughout, the novel chips away at its foundational questions: Does there exist a punishment equal to the atrocity of killing one’s child?
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Rebuilding Digital Trust from the Chip Up This is a foundational shift in how digital identity is handled.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 7 June 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 17 Jun. 2025.
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