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

Because native language literacy is the foundational mastery within which all subsequent understanding and skills will be learned. —Thomas Howell, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Now our part of the work is with these foundational pillars. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025

Bally’s expected to finish demolition in January and begin driving foundational caissons into the ground this month, with the permanent casino targeted for a September 2026 opening. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025

Shelby Mustangs are foundational lore for much of Ford‘s legacy and, these days, fetch high prices at auction, in part because of their relative scarcity. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above