rudimentary
adjective
ru·di·men·ta·ry
ˌrü-də-ˈmen-tə-rē 
-ˈmen-trē
1
: consisting in first principles : fundamental
had only a rudimentary formal education—
D. J. Boorstin
D. J. Boorstin2
: of a primitive kind
the equipment of these past empire-builders was rudimentary—A. J. Toynbee
A. J. Toynbee3
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige
the rudimentary tail of a hyrax
Examples of rudimentary in a Sentence
Because now, every schlemiel with a pair of mirrored sunglasses and a rudimentary grasp of the rules of poker thinks he can play cards with the pros.
—A. J. Jacobs, New York Times Book Review, 8 May 2005
Despite the rudimentary nature of its instruments—an octant, a chronometer and a level—the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a triumph for science and natural history.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, U.S. News & World Report, 11 July 1994
A few were hopeless imbeciles, unable to comprehend more than the rudimentary requirements of filling their bellies when food was placed before them …
—Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Monster Men, 1929
This class requires a rudimentary knowledge of human anatomy.
When baseball was in its rudimentary stages, different teams played by different rules.
Some insects have only rudimentary wings.
A. J. Jacobs, New York Times Book Review, 8 May 2005
Despite the rudimentary nature of its instruments—an octant, a chronometer and a level—the Lewis and Clark Expedition was a triumph for science and natural history.
—Daniel J. Boorstin, U.S. News & World Report, 11 July 1994
A few were hopeless imbeciles, unable to comprehend more than the rudimentary requirements of filling their bellies when food was placed before them …
—Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Monster Men, 1929
This class requires a rudimentary knowledge of human anatomy.
When baseball was in its rudimentary stages, different teams played by different rules.
Some insects have only rudimentary wings.
Recent Examples on the Web
In those early days, scraping was a rudimentary process, limited to simple data fetching via basic HTTP protocols.
—Sandro Shubladze, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
His shop was rudimentary but well stocked, its shelves filled with whiskey, pisco, aguardiente, and beer.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Someone in academia has common sense, and someone has a rudimentary understanding
...
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 30 Nov. 2024
Cuba’s long road to private enterprise began in 1978 when the government began allowing very rudimentary private business, like barbers working from their home.
—Orlando Matos, NBC News, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rudimentary 
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Sandro Shubladze, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
His shop was rudimentary but well stocked, its shelves filled with whiskey, pisco, aguardiente, and beer.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Someone in academia has common sense, and someone has a rudimentary understanding
...
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 30 Nov. 2024
Cuba’s long road to private enterprise began in 1978 when the government began allowing very rudimentary private business, like barbers working from their home.
—Orlando Matos, NBC News, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rudimentary
Dictionary Entries Near rudimentary
Cite this Entry
“Rudimentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rudimentary. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rudimentary
adjective
ru·di·men·ta·ry
ˌrüd-ə-ˈment-ə-rē
-ˈmen-trē
2
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a small part compared to the fully developed form
a rudimentary tail
Medical Definition
rudimentary
adjective
ru·di·men·ta·ry
ˌrüd-ə-ˈment-ə-rē, -ˈmen-trē
: very imperfectly developed or represented only by a vestige
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