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cornerstone

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈkɔrnɚˌstoʊn/ · UK /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/

cornerstone means: The most important part of something, which the rest depends on.

noun

ESSENTIAL BASISC1

The most important part of something, which the rest depends on.

  • Trust is the cornerstone of friendship.
  • Education became a cornerstone of their economic policy.
  • These principles remain the cornerstones of our work.

How to use it: cornerstone of something (Honesty is the cornerstone of a strong relationship.)

Similar words: foundation, basis, bedrock

Common phrases: cornerstone of something, be a cornerstone, remain a cornerstone

BUILDING CORNERC1

A stone at the bottom corner of a building that helps form its base.

  • The builders laid the cornerstone first.
  • A crack appeared in the building's cornerstone.
  • The old cornerstone supports two walls.

Similar words: foundation stone

Common phrases: lay a cornerstone, building cornerstone, stone cornerstone

CEREMONIAL STONEC1

A stone placed at a building ceremony, often showing names and dates.

  • The mayor laid the cornerstone.
  • The cornerstone carries the names of the church's founders.
  • We gathered for the new school's cornerstone ceremony.

Similar words: foundation stone

Common phrases: lay the cornerstone, engraved cornerstone, cornerstone ceremony

Questions about cornerstone

What does cornerstone mean?

The most important part of something, which the rest depends on.

What is cornerstone in other languages?

Türkçe: temel · Español: pilar · Français: pilier · Deutsch: Grundpfeiler · Italiano: fondamento · 日本語: 基盤

How do you pronounce cornerstone?

In American English /ˈkɔrnɚˌstoʊn/; in British English /ˈkɔːnəstəʊn/.

How do you use cornerstone in a sentence?

Trust is the cornerstone of friendship. Education became a cornerstone of their economic policy.

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cornerstone in other languages

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