bedrock

American  

[bed-rok] / ˈbɛdˌrɒk /

noun

1. Geology. unbroken solid rock, overlaid in most places by soil or rock fragments.

2. bottom layer; lowest stratum.

3. any firm foundation or basis.

   Technical courses will be founded on a bedrock of sound, general education so as to produce a well-rounded engineer.

4. the fundamental principles, as of a teaching, belief, or science.

   Let's strip away the cant and get down to bedrock.

---

adjective

1. basic; fundamental.

bedrock British  

/ ˈbɛdˌrɒk /

noun

1. the solid unweathered rock that lies beneath the loose surface deposits of soil, alluvium, etc

2. basic principles or facts (esp in the phrase get down to bedrock )

3. the lowest point, level, or layer

---

bedrock Scientific  

/ bĕd′rŏk′ /

1. The solid rock that lies beneath the soil and other loose material on the Earth's surface.

---

Etymology

Origin of bedrock

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; bed + rock ¹

Example Sentences

It became the bedrock upon which Palantir built its Artificial Intelligence Platform.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

The leftover carbon dioxide will be stored deep beneath the North Sea in sedimentary bedrock and will gradually mineralize over time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Whether it’s Eddie, a friend McCarthy met in high school who resides in Alto, Texas, or Larry, a buddy in Austin, honesty and confession form the bedrock of true male intimacy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

These are impressive stats in bedrock categories essential for Augusta success.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

What he was proposing, in effect, was a stratum of artificial bedrock that would also serve as the floor of the basement.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson