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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Lane, though, not only captures Willy’s ordinariness and his ubiquity, which is no small achievement for so famous an actor, but also his optimism, his foundational, near-Trumpian belief in a coming Very Big Deal for either him or his sons.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
The novel setup invited any number of issues that might have ruined the whole thing, but the experience was somehow redeemed and made special by its foundational reverence for the holy light of cinema.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
There’s less appetite for fast trend cycles and more demand for foundational investments in fabric and color.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
This new era of landscape design prioritizes biodiversity and sustainability as foundational elements rather than optional extras.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
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Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
The novel setup invited any number of issues that might have ruined the whole thing, but the experience was somehow redeemed and made special by its foundational reverence for the holy light of cinema.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
There’s less appetite for fast trend cycles and more demand for foundational investments in fabric and color.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
This new era of landscape design prioritizes biodiversity and sustainability as foundational elements rather than optional extras.
—Kansas City Star, 10 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 12 Apr. 2026.
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