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
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The lesson Ito imparted proved foundational.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026
The ranch’s interiors are layered with museum-worthy Western Americana, Navajo textiles, antique saddles, cowboy artifacts, and vintage trade blankets that later became foundational references for Lauren’s Double RL brand, which launched in 1993 and was named after the property itself.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 May 2026
This is the foundational metric.
—Douglas Gregory, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
All three foundational stars signed contract extensions and took pay cuts in the offseason — part of a group effort to help the team stay competitive and give Sauvageau more cap room to work with.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 21 May 2026
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Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026
The ranch’s interiors are layered with museum-worthy Western Americana, Navajo textiles, antique saddles, cowboy artifacts, and vintage trade blankets that later became foundational references for Lauren’s Double RL brand, which launched in 1993 and was named after the property itself.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 May 2026
This is the foundational metric.
—Douglas Gregory, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
All three foundational stars signed contract extensions and took pay cuts in the offseason — part of a group effort to help the team stay competitive and give Sauvageau more cap room to work with.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 21 May 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 27 May. 2026.
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