bedrock

1 of 2

noun

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˌräk How to pronounce bedrock (audio)
-ˈräk
1
: the solid rock underlying unconsolidated surface materials (such as soil)
2
a
: lowest point
b
: basis

bedrock

2 of 2

adjective

bed·​rock ˈbed-ˌräk How to pronounce bedrock (audio)
: solidly fundamental, basic, or reliable
traditional bedrock values
a bedrock constituency

Examples of bedrock in a Sentence

Noun They dug down for 10 feet before they hit bedrock. His religious beliefs are the bedrock on which his life is based.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Values are the bedrock of a company's identity and the foundation for building trust with employees, customers and stakeholders. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Several carmakers are using LLMs as in-car assistants, while AI is creating the bedrock for a potential future of autonomous driving. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The statements, experts said, are likely to have a harmful effect on the nation's confidence in bedrock American principles. Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 1 June 2024 In short, Russian and separatist forces quickly encountered the region’s bedrock Ukrainian identity, laid by centuries of migration from the country’s central heartland. Brian Milakovsky, Foreign Affairs, 31 Mar. 2022 See all Example Sentences for bedrock 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedrock was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near bedrock

Cite this Entry

“Bedrock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedrock. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bedrock

noun
bed·​rock
ˈbed-ˌräk
1
: the solid rock lying under surface materials (as soil) that are not in layers
2
: a solid foundation

More from Merriam-Webster on bedrock

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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