CORNERSTONE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for CORNERSTONE?

Need another word that means the same as “cornerstone”? Find 23 synonyms and 30 related words for “cornerstone” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Cornerstone” are: base, basis, foundation, fundament, groundwork, keystone, mainspring, mainstay, linchpin, bedrock, key, fundamental principle, main ingredient, central component, centrepiece, core, heart, centre, focus, crux, prop, backbone, anchor

Cornerstone as a Noun

Definitions of "Cornerstone" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “cornerstone” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A stone at the outer corner of two intersecting masonry walls.
• The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained.
• A stone in the exterior of a large and important building; usually carved with a date and laid with appropriate ceremonies.
• A stone that forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls.
• An important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.

Synonyms of "Cornerstone" as a noun (23 Words)

anchor	An anchorman or anchorwoman. Faith is his anchor.
backbone	The spine of a book. Prickles of sweat broke out along her backbone.
base	A known line used as a geometrical base for trigonometry. She makes the studio her base.
basis	The underlying support or foundation for an idea, argument, or process. He worked on an interim basis.
bedrock	The fundamental principles on which something is based. Honesty is the bedrock of a good relationship.
central component	A workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication.
centre	A place where some particular activity is concentrated. A new centre party.
centrepiece	An item, issue, etc. intended to be a focus of attention. A domestic programme with healthcare as the centrepiece.
core	The inner strand of an electric cable or rope. The ball has a titanium core.
crux	A small conspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere in the Milky Way near Centaurus. The crux of the matter is that attitudes have changed.
focus	Special emphasis attached to something. The focus of infection.
foundation	The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level. This idea is the foundation of all modern economics.
fundament	The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained.
fundamental principle	Any factor that could be considered important to the understanding of a particular business.
groundwork	Lowest support of a structure. We are prepared today because of groundwork that was done ten years ago.
heart	A card game similar to whist in which players attempt to avoid taking tricks containing a card of the suit of hearts. You haven t got the heart for baseball.
key	A lever as in a keyboard that actuates a mechanism when depressed. A room key.
keystone	A central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together. Cooperation remains the keystone of the government s security policy.
linchpin	Pin inserted through an axletree to hold a wheel on. He is the linchpin of this firm.
main ingredient	A principal pipe in a system that distributes water or gas or electricity or that collects sewage.
mainspring	The principal spring in a watch, clock, or other mechanism. Innovation is the mainspring of the new economy.
mainstay	A person or thing on which something else is based or depends. Farming is the mainstay of the rural economy.
prop	A propeller that rotates to push against air. He looked around for a prop to pin the door open.

Usage Examples of "Cornerstone" as a noun

• A national minimum wage remained the cornerstone of policy.

Associations of "Cornerstone" (30 Words)

basal	Of primary importance. Basal placentation.
base	Serving as or forming a base. Glycerinated gelatin is used as a base for many ointments.
basic	Pertaining to or constituting a base or basis. The laying down of arms is basic to the agreement.
basilar	Of or relating to or located at the base. The basilar membrane of the cochlea.
basis	The system or principles according to which an activity or process is carried on. Trust is the only basis for a good working relationship.
concept	An idea or invention to help sell or publicize a commodity. The concept of justice.
elemental	Concerned with chemical elements or other basic components. Elemental sulphur.
elementary	Of or pertaining to or characteristic of elementary school or elementary education. An elementary astronomy course.
elements	Violent or severe weather viewed as caused by the action of the four elements. They felt the full fury of the elements.
essence	The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience. Locke s scepticism about our ability to penetrate to the real essences of things.
essential	(of an amino acid or fatty acid) required for normal growth but not synthesized in the body and therefore necessary in the diet. We only had the bare essentials in the way of equipment.
essentially	In essence; at bottom or by one’s (or its) very nature. The argument was essentially a technical one.
essentialness	Basic importance.
foundation	An institution established with an endowment, for example a research body or charity. The foundation of a civil service college.
fundamental	A fundamental note tone or frequency. Two courses cover the fundamentals of microbiology.
gist	The central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work. Damage is the gist of the action and without it the plaintiff must fail.
ground	Place something on the ground or touch the ground with something. Shore dumping can pollute fishing grounds.
groundwork	The fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained. We are prepared today because of groundwork that was done ten years ago.
hypostasis	The suppression of a gene by the effect of an unrelated gene.
main	(of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence. The camcorder can be run directly off the mains.
nether	Dwelling beneath the surface of the earth. Nether garments.
pedestal	Set or support on a pedestal. They put him on a pedestal.
primary	A primary coil or winding in an electrical transformer. A primary alcohol.
prop	A propeller that rotates to push against air. He looked around for a prop to pin the door open.
radically	In a radical manner. You must radically change the way you do business.
rooted	Broken or badly damaged. I m usually completely rooted by the end of a trip and need heaps of physio to recover.
rudiment	The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural. She taught the girls the rudiments of reading and writing.
rudimentary	Being in the earliest stages of development. Rudimentary plans.
staple	Secure or fasten with a staple or staples. Staple fibers vary widely in length.
underlying	Located beneath or below. The flu can be particularly severe for the elderly and those with underlying conditions.