Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun cornerstone

3 senses of cornerstone

Sense 1
basis, base, foundation, fundament, groundwork, cornerstone -- (the fundamental assumptions from which something is begun or developed or calculated or explained; "the whole argument rested on a basis of conjecture")
       => assumption, supposition, supposal -- (a hypothesis that is taken for granted; "any society is built upon certain assumptions")

Sense 2
cornerstone -- (a stone in the exterior of a large and important building; usually carved with a date and laid with appropriate ceremonies)
       => stone -- (building material consisting of a piece of rock hewn in a definite shape for a special purpose; "he wanted a special stone to mark the site")

Sense 3
cornerstone -- (a stone at the outer corner of two intersecting masonry walls)
       => stone -- (building material consisting of a piece of rock hewn in a definite shape for a special purpose; "he wanted a special stone to mark the site")