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.

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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

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bedrock Scientific  

/ bĕd′rŏk′ /

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

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Etymology

Origin of bedrock

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

Example Sentences

NATO’s bedrock is Article V of its founding treaty, which considers an attack on one member state an attack on all.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tuchel will have the vast majority of his squad already fixed in his mind and those certain selections form an experienced bedrock he will count on at the World Cup.

From BBC

Deterring an attack on the island has been a bedrock American policy for 75 years.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

But China, like other developing countries, has said it wants this rule to "remain the bedrock of the WTO".

From Barron's