foundational

Rarely foun·da·tion·ar·y

[foun-dey-shuh-nl]

adjective

1. of or relating to the basis or groundwork on which something rests or is built; needing to be understood or established at the beginning.

   We believe that fostering a strong local community is a foundational component of our inner-city scholarship program, guiding everything else we do.

Other Word Forms

• foundationally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundational¹

foundation ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The spokesperson continued: "We know there is much more to do but the foundational work of our recovery is firmly underway, and we will continue to provide updates as we progress."

From BBC

He said that fiscal rules were in place to "protect working people" and that economic stability was a "foundational stone" of his government.

From BBC

Recounting her foundational experiences became a cathartic, healing process.

From Los Angeles Times

A sweeping bill would overhaul how reading is taught in California classrooms — mandating phonics-based lessons and culminating decades of debate on how best to teach children this foundational skill.

From Los Angeles Times

Until now, “there’s never been much opposition, really” to the narrative of the Californios’ decline, Chavez-Garcia said, calling it “foundational” to the state’s mythology.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• central 
• constitutional 
• crucial 
• elemental 
• elementary 
• essential 
• indispensable 
• integral 
• intrinsic 
• major 
• necessary 
• paramount 
• principal 
• radical 
• significant 
• structural 
• theoretical 
• underlying 
• vital