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 AI revolution is here, no second thoughts about it," said Nara Lokesh, information technology minister for Andhra Pradesh state, which is positioning the city of Visakhapatnam as a cornerstone of India's AI push.

From Barron's

Marantos was key to the success of The Times’ plants coverage, making waterwise native plants a cornerstone of her reporting as drought and climate change worsened in California.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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