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
Legislative sessions: 140 days every odd-numbered year The every-other-year part dates back to the Texas Constitution of 1876, which, although amended dozens of times since then, remains the state government's foundational document.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
It is rooted in the foundational logic of international law itself, specifically in the principle of customary law.
—Majeed Javdani, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
That decision removed a foundational principle that allowed federal agencies to interpret and enforce laws passed by Congress.
—Monifa Bandele, Essence, 29 July 2025
Having decided that wealth disparity is the foundational cause of all others, Perry presents a remedy that’s scaled accordingly: a reparations program that could cost as much as fourteen trillion dollars.
—Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
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.
John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
It is rooted in the foundational logic of international law itself, specifically in the principle of customary law.
—Majeed Javdani, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
That decision removed a foundational principle that allowed federal agencies to interpret and enforce laws passed by Congress.
—Monifa Bandele, Essence, 29 July 2025
Having decided that wealth disparity is the foundational cause of all others, Perry presents a remedy that’s scaled accordingly: a reparations program that could cost as much as fourteen trillion dollars.
—Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 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 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share