cornerstone

4 definitions • 4 examples

a stone in a corner of a building, especially one with the date when the building was made or other writing on it

something of great importance that everything else depends on:

In most countries, the family unit is still the cornerstone of society.

a large stone near the base of a building where two walls meet, often giving information about the building and sometimes put in position with a ceremony:

A large group of officials attended a cornerstone laying at that new plant.

something of great importance on which everything else depends:

Funds for the school system were the cornerstone of his budget proposal.

All the parties to the dispute agree that ready access to the law is a cornerstone of democracy.