cornerstone

See also: corner-stone

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English corner ston; equivalent to corner +‎ stone. The figurative sense is in part after Psalm 118:22, and is also quoted several times in the New Testament.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkɔː.nə.stəʊn/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkɔɹ.nɚ.stoʊn/

Noun

cornerstone (plural cornerstones)

  1. A stone forming the base at the corner of a building.
  2. Such a stone used ceremonially, often inscribed with the architect's and owner's names, dates and other details.
    The cornerstone on the Flatiron Building is set on the Fifth Avenue facade.
  3. (figuratively) That which is prominent, fundamental, noteworthy, or central.
    Exceptional service is the cornerstone of the hospitality industry.
    That is the cornerstone of any meaningful debate about budgets and projects, regulations and policies.
    • 2019 July 15, Greg Afinogenov, “The Jewish Case for Open Borders”, in Jewish Currents‎[1], number Summer 2019, archived from the original on 27 October 2025:
      Jewish immigrants came together with other foreign-born groups in organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World, helping to create one of the cornerstones of the American left.

Coordinate terms

Translations

Further reading

Anagrams

Middle English

Noun

cornerstone

  1. alternative form of corner ston
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