foundation stone
Americannoun
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any of the stones composing the foundation of a building.
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a cornerstone.
noun
Etymology
Origin of foundation stone
First recorded in 1645–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Watson’s 1965 textbook, “Molecular Biology of the Gene,” became a foundation stone of modern biology.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2025
"It is completely staggering... that an organisation envisaged as a foundation stone of our collective security was established with a leadership hamstrung by a lack of formal governance," committee chair Meg Hillier said.
From Reuters ● Jul. 4, 2023
The current emir’s mother, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al-Missned, had laid the foundation stone for the project in the heart of Beirut in 2009.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 4, 2023
"With the trusteeship, the threat to the security of energy supply is countered and an essential foundation stone is set for the preservation and future of the Schwedt site," Germany's economy ministry said.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2022
We must stress this point, it will be the foundation stone upon which we build.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
