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cornerstone Definition

corner·stone (-stōn′)

noun

  1. 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
  2. the basic, essential, or most important part; foundation

Etymology: ME

cornerstone Synonyms

cornerstone

n.

base, foundation stone, memorial stone, starting point; see foundation 2.

cornerstone Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • non-proliferation: We emphasize that the NPT remains the cornerstone of nuclear non-proliferation.
  • stability: Should the very cornerstone of strategic stability become eroded, we will have a big problem of putting things in check in this area.
  • democracy: Elections may well be the cornerstone of any democracy - therein lies the rub.
  • broadcasting: We emphatically agree that ' The BBC should remain the cornerstone of public service television broadcasting.
  • regime: The NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, supported by almost every country in the world.
  • society: Access to justice is a cornerstone of a fair society.

Converse of object

  • remain: Over four decades later, their principles remain the cornerstone of every home we build.
  • lay: The first chapter lays a solid cornerstone to the framework of the book.
  • become: They have become a cornerstone of the Chamber's activity.
  • form: Their world-famous carpets form a rich cornerstone to any home interior.
  • represent: It represents a cornerstone of our commitment to improving Working Lives.
  • consider: This means that surgery is still to be considered the cornerstone of therapy for the groin nodes in women with vulvar cancer.

Adjective modifier

  • chief: He is the Builder, he is the head, he is the chief cornerstone, he is the living Stone.
  • fundamental: Acknowledging the presence of some rare fragile populations of native trout could act as a fundamental cornerstone in this reform.
  • vital: You don't have to be Einstein, Newton or Socrates to know that education is a vital cornerstone in our modern lives.
  • essential: A wealth of new information and updated coverage makes the 8th Edition an essential cornerstone for every psychiatric practice.
  • cultural: At the cultural cornerstone of this new, dynamic town-centre hub will be our very own, purpose-built DanceHouse.
  • important: This guidance often formed an important cornerstone of a school's approach.

Modifies a noun

  • mission: Darwin is not currently an approved mission but it is a strong candidate for a future cornerstone mission within ESA's Cosmic Vision program.
  • policy: A policy cornerstone We move on to a cornerstone policy of the Lib Dems Election manifesto: free personal care for older people.