Bedrock
/ˈbɛdrok/
nounIntermediate📊CommonFoundation
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
The solid rock underlying loose deposits such as soil or alluvium; the fundamental principle or basis of something.
/ˈbɛdrok/
nounneutralIntermediate
Foundation
Solid foundation; fundamental principle.
The bedrock of the cliff was visible after the landslide.
💡 Simply: The strong base or foundation of something.
More Examples
2
Trust and respect form the bedrock of a successful marriage.
How It's Used
Geology
"The bedrock of the mountain range was composed of granite."
Figurative
"Honesty is the bedrock of any strong relationship."
From Middle English *bedrok, from Old English *bedd (bed) + roc (rock). Originally referring to the solid rock underlying the soil.
The word's geological usage predates its figurative use. Early examples focus on its literal meaning in mining and surveying.
Memory tip
Think of a bed of rock, the solid base of everything else.
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"bed + rock"
solid bedrockunyielding bedrockbedrock principle
Common misspellings
bedrockebedrok
Practice
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written