Added 9 October 2026
cornerstone
/ˈkɔː.nə.stəʊn/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about cornerstone at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A stone forming the base at the corner of a building.
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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.
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That which is prominent, fundamental, noteworthy, or central.
Exceptional service is the cornerstone of the hospitality industry.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)