fundamental

[fuhn-duh-men-tl]

adjective

1. serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis; basic; underlying.

   fundamental principles;

   the fundamental structure.

   Synonyms: primary, indispensable

2. of, relating to, or affecting the foundation or basis.

   a fundamental revision.

3. being an original or primary source.

   a fundamental idea.

4. Music.,  (of a chord) having its root as its lowest note.

noun

1. a basic principle, rule, law, or the like, that serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part.

   to master the fundamentals of a trade.

2. Also called fundamental tone. Also called fundamental note,. Music.

   1. the root of a chord.

   2. the generator of a series of harmonics.

3. Physics.,  the component of lowest frequency in a composite wave.

fundamental

/ ˌfʌndəˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or comprising a foundation; basic

2. of, involving, or comprising a source; primary

3. music denoting or relating to the principal or lowest note of a harmonic series

4. of or concerned with the component of lowest frequency in a complex vibration

noun

1. a principle, law, etc, that serves as the basis of an idea or system

2. 1. the principal or lowest note of a harmonic series

   2. the bass note of a chord in root position

3. Also called: fundamental frequency.  first harmonic. physics

   1. the component of lowest frequency in a complex vibration

   2. the frequency of this component

Other Word Forms

• fundamentality noun
• fundamentalness noun
• fundamentally adverb
• nonfundamental adjective
• nonfundamentally adverb
• unfundamental adjective
• unfundamentally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamental¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin fundāmentālis “of, belonging to a foundation”; fundament, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Of course, the Constitution contemplates that democracy is the appropriate process for change, so long as that process does not abridge fundamental rights .

From Salon

Rather than simply “hunkering down” until 2028, organizations face fundamental structural damage that could take decades to repair.

From Los Angeles Times

In his coinage, plastic soul referred to the band’s penchant for transforming musical forms — often American rhythm and blues — into their own image, retaining their fundamental qualities in the process of making them their own.

From Salon

That was a result of the 2019 Reproductive Health Act, which recognized access to abortion and reproductive care as fundamental rights.

From Salon

According to the prosecution, children were regularly kidnapped on their way to school, from the fields, deprived of their fundamental rights, and forced to kill for Kony's rebel group.

From BBC

Related Words

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