foundation stonenoun [ C ]
uk/faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃən ˌstəʊn/us/faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃən ˌstoʊn/a large block of stone that is put in position at the start of work on a public building, often with a ceremony
the basic or important principles, ideas, facts, etc. on which something depends:
Freedom of speech is the foundation stone of democracy.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Public buildings
- art gallery
- basilica
- bath
- bathhouse
- centre
- chancellery
- gallery
- guildhall
- hall
- Hall of Fame
- leisure centre
- office building
- pavilion
- public library
- reference library
- register office
- registry
- teardown
- telephone exchange
- town hall
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Examples from literature
- I had followed in his footsteps by giving my native town a library—its foundation stone laid by my mother—so that this public library was really my first gift.
- Of the house which he himself built, on a distant knoll of the home farm, nothing now remains but the cellar and foundation stones, near which is the well he dug, now choked with rubbish and overgrown with brambles.
- The third treats of the ceremonies observed at laying the foundation stones of public structures.
- To remove a foundation stone is a delicate and difficult operation.
- With indefatigable perseverance he opened museums, laid the foundation stones of hospitals, made speeches to the Royal Agricultural Society, and attended meetings of the British Association.