cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn 
1
: a stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall
specifically
: such a stone laid at a formal ceremony
2
: a basic element : foundation
a cornerstone of foreign policy
Examples of cornerstone in a Sentence
Officials held a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for a new library.
Trust is the cornerstone of their relationship.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cash is the cornerstone of financial stability in retirement.
—
Chris Carosa, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
With her beloved employer not even willing to discuss the column – discussion being the cornerstone of deliberative democracy – the veteran journalist resigned.
—Joseph Jones, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Put simply, the Trump administration wants the nation’s highest court — which Trump has had an outsize impact in shaping — to weigh in on a cornerstone tenet of U.S. immigration policies.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes and, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
Esports has earned its place as a cornerstone of modern sports, offering a glimpse into the future of competition and entertainment.
—Adam Rumanek, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
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Chris Carosa, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
With her beloved employer not even willing to discuss the column – discussion being the cornerstone of deliberative democracy – the veteran journalist resigned.
—Joseph Jones, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Put simply, the Trump administration wants the nation’s highest court — which Trump has had an outsize impact in shaping — to weigh in on a cornerstone tenet of U.S. immigration policies.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes and, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
Esports has earned its place as a cornerstone of modern sports, offering a glimpse into the future of competition and entertainment.
—Adam Rumanek, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cornerstone
Cite this Entry
“Cornerstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornerstone. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cornerstone
noun
cor·ner·stone
ˈkȯr-nər-ˌstōn
1
: a stone forming part of a corner in a wall
2
: something of basic importance
the cornerstone of our foreign policy
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