foundation stone
Americannoun
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any of the stones composing the foundation of a building.
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a cornerstone.
noun
Etymology
Origin of foundation stone
First recorded in 1645–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Watson’s 1965 textbook, “Molecular Biology of the Gene,” became a foundation stone of modern biology.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025
The burial of the time capsule was similar to a ceremony in 1872 during which the then Princess of Wales, Alexandra, laid a foundation stone at the hospital, also sealing a time capsule.
From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025
"It is completely staggering... that an organisation envisaged as a foundation stone of our collective security was established with a leadership hamstrung by a lack of formal governance," committee chair Meg Hillier said.
From Reuters • Jul. 4, 2023
This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 4, 2022
We must stress this point, it will be the foundation stone upon which we build.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
