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

In Arizona, voters passed Proposition 139 amending the state constitution to provide a fundamental right to abortion.

From Salon

Around this time, a fundamental demographic shift occurred: New births no longer exceeded deaths in the United States.

From Salon

It is contentious as it was written in both English and Māori - which had only been a spoken language until colonisation - and the two versions contain fundamental differences when it comes to issues such as sovereignty.

From BBC

Act, the political party that introduced the bill, argues there is a need to legally define the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, which has been fundamental to race relations in New Zealand.

From BBC

In a wide-ranging interview, Coe also spoke of how he has been "in training for life" for the presidency of the IOC, the fundamental challenges facing the Olympic movement, prize money in sport and building a relationship with US President-elect Donald Trump - with the next Games scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in 2028.

From BBC

Related Words

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