bedrock

1 of 2

noun

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˌräk How to pronounce bedrock (audio)
-ˈräk
1
: the solid rock underlying unconsolidated surface materials (such as soil)
2
a
: lowest point
b
: basis

bedrock

2 of 2

adjective

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˌräk How to pronounce bedrock (audio)
: solidly fundamental, basic, or reliable
traditional bedrock values
a bedrock constituency

Examples of bedrock in a Sentence

Noun They dug down for 10 feet before they hit bedrock. His religious beliefs are the bedrock on which his life is based.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Per Report Social Security Changes Position On Controversial Phone Service Cuts Erosion of Trust: The Invisible Wound Trust is grounded in psychological safety and the bedrock of any successful organization. Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 All these stories helped form the bedrock of my imagination and a sense of what truly matters in life: Friendship, loyalty, courage in the face of daunting odds, and the capacity for normal people, even children and Hobbits, to overcome the machinations of the wicked. Erik Kain, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Never mind that for decades, muscular international aid was a bedrock Republican idea. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025 The statements, experts said, are likely to have a harmful effect on the nation's confidence in bedrock American principles. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 1 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for bedrock

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedrock was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Bedrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedrock. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

bedrock

noun
bed·​rock
ˈbed-ˌräk
1
: the solid rock lying under surface materials (as soil) that are not in layers
2
: a solid foundation

More from Merriam-Webster on bedrock

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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