See cornerstone in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
a stone that forms part of the corner of a building; esp., a foundation stone of this kind, often inscribed, laid at a ceremony that marks the beginning of building
the basic, essential, or most important part; foundation
See cornerstone in American Heritage Dictionary 4
also corner stone(kôrˈnər-stōnˌ)
noun
a. A stone at the corner of a building uniting two intersecting walls; a quoin.
b. Such a stone, often inscribed, laid at a ceremony marking the origin of a building.
An indispensable and fundamental basis: the cornerstone of an argument.