cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn 
1
: a stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall
specifically
: such a stone laid at a formal ceremony
2
: a basic element : foundation
a cornerstone of foreign policy
Synonyms
Examples of cornerstone in a Sentence
Officials held a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for a new library.
Trust is the cornerstone of their relationship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Caruso, 30, earned All-Defense Second Team honors for two consecutive seasons after serving as the cornerstone of the Bulls defense for three years.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2024
His co-discovery of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect in 1959 on the action of atomic particles around a magnetic field is considered today one of the cornerstones of modern physics.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 19 June 2024
At a wellness retreat in central Italy, convivial trekking is the cornerstone of a new longevity program.
—Mary Holland, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2024
Affordable cars Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees the automotive industry as a cornerstone to boosting growth in the world’s fifth-largest economy.
—Reuters, CNN, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cornerstone 
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2024
His co-discovery of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect in 1959 on the action of atomic particles around a magnetic field is considered today one of the cornerstones of modern physics.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 19 June 2024
At a wellness retreat in central Italy, convivial trekking is the cornerstone of a new longevity program.
—Mary Holland, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2024
Affordable cars Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees the automotive industry as a cornerstone to boosting growth in the world’s fifth-largest economy.
—Reuters, CNN, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cornerstone
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cornerstone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cornerstone
Cite this Entry
“Cornerstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornerstone. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn
1
: a stone forming part of a corner in a wall
2
: something of basic importance
the cornerstone of our foreign policy
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