fundamental

[ fuhn-duh-men-tl ]

adjective

1. serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis; basic; underlying:

   fundamental principles;

   the fundamental structure.

   Synonyms: primary, indispensable

2. of, relating to, or affecting the foundation or basis:

   a fundamental revision.

3. being an original or primary source:

   a fundamental idea.

4. Music. (of a chord) having its root as its lowest note.

noun

1. a basic principle, rule, law, or the like, that serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part:

   to master the fundamentals of a trade.

2. Also called fundamental note,. Music.
   1. the root of a chord.
   2. the generator of a series of harmonics.
3. Physics. the component of lowest frequency in a composite wave.

fundamental

/ ˌfʌndəˈmɛntəl /

adjective

1. of, involving, or comprising a foundation; basic
2. of, involving, or comprising a source; primary
3. music denoting or relating to the principal or lowest note of a harmonic series
4. of or concerned with the component of lowest frequency in a complex vibration

noun

1. a principle, law, etc, that serves as the basis of an idea or system
2. 1. the principal or lowest note of a harmonic series
   2. the bass note of a chord in root position
3. Also calledfundamental frequencyfirst harmonic physics
   1. the component of lowest frequency in a complex vibration
   2. the frequency of this component

Derived Forms

• ˌfundamenˈtality, noun

Other Words From

• fun·da·men·tal·i·ty [fuhn-d, uh, -men-, tal, -i-tee], fun·da·men·tal·ness noun
• fun·da·men·tal·ly adverb
• non·fun·da·men·tal adjective noun
• non·fun·da·men·tal·ly adverb
• un·fun·da·men·tal adjective
• un·fun·da·men·tal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamental¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin fundāmentālis “of, belonging to a foundation”; fundament, -al ¹

Example Sentences

“We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said.

From Los Angeles Times

“These fundamental issues remain unaddressed and therefore the council cannot support this action and will be making representations at ministerial level.”

From BBC

“We also deeply respect the fundamental role of the jury in our constitutional system.”

From Salon

"Our work demonstrates that protecting wild pollinators requires a fundamental rethinking of how we assess pesticide safety," Dr. Rondeau concludes.

From Science Daily

There is a reasonable argument to be made that the 2024 election outcome boils down to fundamental differences regarding what we, as a nation, find to be funny and what we take to be indecent.

From Salon

Related Words

• bottom line
• component
• cornerstone
• element
• factor
• foundation
• law
• principle