CORNERSTONE Definition & Meaning

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cornerstone

[ kawr-ner-stohn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a stone uniting two masonry walls at an intersection.
a stone representing the nominal starting place in the construction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date and laid with appropriate ceremonies.
something that is essential, indispensable, or basic:
The cornerstone of democratic government is a free press.
the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed:
The cornerstone of his argument was that all people are created equal.

cornerstone

/ ˈ��ɔː��əˌ��əʊ�� /

noun

a stone at the corner of a wall, uniting two intersecting walls; quoin
a stone placed at the corner of a building during a ceremony to mark the start of construction
a person or thing of prime importance; basis
the cornerstone of the whole argument

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of cornerstone¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; corner, stone

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Considered the cornerstone of US-Africa economic relations, the aim was to help industrialise the continent, create employment and lift dozens of countries out of poverty.

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With solar panels, metal scaffolding and cornerstones, they began constructing their vision for a sovereign micronation that they planned to call Autopia — the place that builds itself.

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Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that while "the right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy", that right "does not include the right to intimidate or infringe on the fundamental freedoms of others."

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It surprises some of the journalists in the room, but for Tomar - the only Indian woman to ever fight in the UFC - it is the cornerstone of why she is doing this interview.

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Behind-the-scenes workers like Alfonso Lira are the cornerstone of the restaurant industry.

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