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

Northvolt was seen as a cornerstone in European efforts to catch up with Chinese battery producers before production delays and its mounting debts led it to declare bankruptcy in March.

From Barron's

A cornerstone of America’s economic strength is vibrant competition among private-sector companies.

From Barron's

The duty to disobey manifestly illegal orders is a cornerstone of international law, with foundations in Nazi atrocities-related post-World War II trials like Nuremberg.

From Salon

His lead role as a gun-toting rebel in the 1972 crime drama The Harder They Come is a cornerstone of Jamaican cinema, and was attributed as the movie that brought reggae to America.

From BBC

“We’ve always viewed Los Angeles as a cornerstone market for launch of air taxis, both in the U.S. and globally,” said Eric Lentell, chief strategy officer at Archer, in an interview.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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