cornerstone

American  

[kawr-ner-stohn] / ˈkɔr nərˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.

2. a stone representing the nominal starting place in the construction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date and laid with appropriate ceremonies.

3. something that is essential, indispensable, or basic.

   The cornerstone of democratic government is a free press.

4. the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed.

   The cornerstone of his argument was that all people are created equal.

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cornerstone British  

/ ˈkɔːnəˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a stone at the corner of a wall, uniting two intersecting walls; quoin

2. a stone placed at the corner of a building during a ceremony to mark the start of construction

3. a person or thing of prime importance; basis

   the cornerstone of the whole argument

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Etymology

Origin of cornerstone

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; corner, stone

Example Sentences

The three firms are among the more than a dozen foreign and domestic investors vying for shares in the planned offering as cornerstone investors, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Statins have been a cornerstone of cardiovascular care for decades," Dr. Van Petegem said.

From Science Daily

Investors and economists have argued that a Fed free from political influence is critical to keeping inflation stable, which is itself a cornerstone of healthy markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

And what will happen to the independent film industry if its cornerstone festival loses its footing?

From Los Angeles Times

Tomlinson said pubs are "the cornerstone of so many communities" and the government wanted to "go further" in supporting them after the number of venues fell by nearly 7,000 since 2010.

From BBC

Related Words

• essential
• foundation
• keystone
• linchpin
• mainstay
• pillar