fundamental

1 of 2

adjective

fun·​da·​men·​tal ˌfən-də-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce fundamental (audio)
1
a
: serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function : basic
Responsibility is fundamental to democracy.
The Constitution ensures our fundamental rights.
b
: serving as an original or generating source : primary
a discovery fundamental to modern computers
2
a
: of or relating to essential structure, function, or facts : radical
fundamental change
also : of or dealing with general principles rather than practical application
fundamental science
b
: adhering to fundamentalism
a preacher who is evangelical, Bible-teaching, and fundamental
3
: of central importance : principal
fundamental purpose
such fundamental events as birth, marriage, and death
4
: belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics : deep-rooted
her fundamental good humor
5
: of, relating to, or produced by the lowest component of a complex vibration (see vibration sense 1)

fundamental

2 of 2

noun

1
: something fundamental
especially : one of the minimum constituents without which a thing or a system would not be what it is
2
a
: the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher harmonics is based
b
: the root of a chord
3
: the harmonic component of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly the greatest amplitude
Choose the Right Synonym for fundamental

essential, fundamental, vital, cardinal mean so important as to be indispensable.

essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

Examples of fundamental in a Sentence

Adjective The Constitution ensures our fundamental rights. There's a fundamental difference between these two political parties. These ideas are of fundamental importance. The revolution brought about a fundamental change in the country. We need to make some fundamental changes in the way we do business. We need to address these problems on a more fundamental level.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Still, the fundamental aspects of interviewing remain unchanged. Ebony Flake, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 In a way, the fundamental question has not changed since the summer of 2015: Is Donald Trump fit to be president, in mind and character? Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024 The court this term has repeatedly grappled with fundamental questions about the scope of the government’s authority over major technology platforms. Adam Liptak, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Regardless of the philosophical debate over safety, the fundamental reason for the closed approach of OpenAI, compared with the growing openness of the tech behemoths, might simply be its size. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2024 Saving, looking for value, avoiding speculation; these principles might not sound profound, but that’s only because many have become fundamental rules that today’s investors live by. Bywill Daniel, Fortune, 17 Mar. 2024 Strategists who argue that economic interdependence between the United States and China will make their rivalry less conflictual than the Cold War are overlooking the fundamental difference between today’s overlapping security relationships and the security blocs of the twentieth century. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2024 These practices speak to the same fundamental issue, said Potee, the Massachusetts addiction doctor. Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 Or maybe the draw is something much more fundamental, tapping into an age-old interest in the stars and the deeply human wonder about the cosmos. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
When it was initially unveiled, all staff members were required to take an AI fundamentals course to gain the same base level of knowledge and awareness about AI. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 By embodying these qualities and understanding the core fundamentals of brand expectations, athletes and creators can unlock the full potential of sponsorship opportunities and forge mutually beneficial relationships with brands across the globe. King Holder, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2024 After college, Thompson studied under Tyus for seven years, learning the fundamentals of the craft until his mentor retired. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2024 Their coursework should have covered the fundamentals of accounting, auditing, taxation, and business law, providing a solid foundation from which to start. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 While short-term fluctuations might occur, historical data suggests the market always recovers, with long-term fundamentals playing a more prominent role. Jonathan Dash, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Other prominent news influencers on Instagram include Sharon McMahon, 46, a former high school teacher in Duluth, Minn., who has attracted more than one million followers by explaining the fundamentals of government. Mike Isaac, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Henry vowed to restore order and hold elections, but two and half years later, the world’s first free Black republic is further than ever from those democratic fundamentals. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Reed is also the CEO of the Lakeside Riders Youth Outreach and Community Services Inc., a nonprofit based in Mansfield that teaches disadvantaged children the fundamentals of horseback riding, hunting, fishing and camping. Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fundamental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin fundāmentālis "serving as a foundation," from Latin fundāmentum "foundation, basis" + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at fundament

Noun

derivative of fundamental entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Noun

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fundamental was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fundamental

Cite this Entry

“Fundamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fundamental. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fundamental

1 of 2 adjective
fun·​da·​men·​tal ˌfən-də-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce fundamental (audio)
1
: being or forming a foundation : basic, essential
a discovery fundamental to modern science
our fundamental rights
2
: of or relating to essential structure or function : radical
fundamental change
3
: of, relating to, or produced by the lowest part of a complex vibration
4
: of central importance : principal
fundamental purpose
fundamentally adverb

fundamental

2 of 2 noun
1
: something fundamental : a basic part
fundamentals of arithmetic
2
: the part of a complex wave that has the lowest frequency and commonly the greatest amplitude
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English fundamental "serving as a base or source of support," from Latin fundamentalis "of a foundation," from fundamentum "foundation," derived from fundus "bottom, base" — related to found entry 2, fund

Medical Definition

fundamental

noun
fun·​da·​men·​tal ˌfən-də-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce fundamental (audio)
: the principal musical tone produced by vibration (as of a string or column of air) on which a series of higher overtones is based

More from Merriam-Webster on fundamental

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!