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.

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

Philosophy 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

foundationally adverb

Examples of foundational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the laureates, hunger is a foundational issue that lies at the heart of other global challenges, from climate change to migration to political instability. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

These foods, native to the Northeast, are foundational to the Mashpee Wampanoag, the family’s tribe. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 4 Nov. 2024

With Yankees fans still smarting from the World Series, moderator Jamie Horowitz threaded the needle between Aaron Judge’s struggles and the foundational skills developed in youth sports. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2024

This deep knowledge of nature and cultural connection to the night sky were foundational to his future as a professional northern-lights chaser and guide for his company North Star Adventures. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above