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

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

Hays said crypto's legislative agenda can sometimes amount to seeking exemptions from fundamental consumer protections.

From Salon

The rights of citizens to decide what happens to them is fundamental.

From Salon

"The framework for analyzing this collective behavior resides in the fundamental pheromone concentration gradient, then working from there," Karamched said.

From Science Daily

"This research proves the concept for a broad platform for highly efficient conversion of renewable energy into chemicals, fuels and materials to address the fundamental limits of human civilization," Yuan said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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