bed-rock

The geologist examines the bed-rock exposed by the river.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Solid rock underlying surface materials: "bedrock" refers to the solid, unweathered rock layer that lies beneath soil, gravel, or other loose surface deposits.
   • Fundamental basis or foundation: In a figurative sense, "bedrock" means the essential, unshakable principle or foundation of something.

Usage Examples

• Literal (geological):

  • The construction crew had to drill through several meters of soil before reaching bedrock. (The solid rock layer under the ground.)
  • The foundation of the skyscraper is anchored directly into bedrock for stability. (The solid rock base that supports the building.)

• Figurative (foundational principle):

  • Honesty is the bedrock of any healthy relationship. (The fundamental, essential principle.)
  • The company's success was built on the bedrock of customer trust. (The unshakable basis of the business.)

Advanced Usage

• "to get down to bedrock": to reach the most fundamental or essential level of a matter.

  • In the meeting, we finally got down to bedrock and discussed the core financial issues. (We reached the basic, underlying reality of the situation.)

• "bedrock principle": a principle that is absolute and unchanging.

  • Freedom of speech is a bedrock principle of democracy. (A fundamental, non-negotiable rule.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bedrock (adj): used to describe something that is fundamental or unchanging.

  • The bedrock values of the organization remain constant. (The core, unchangeable values.)

• Bedrocked (adj): firmly established on a solid foundation.

  • Their friendship is bedrocked in shared experiences. (Based firmly on common history.)

Synonyms

• Foundation: the base on which something stands.
• Cornerstone: the essential, fundamental part.
• Basement: the underlying rock layer (geological term).

Related Idioms

• "Hit bedrock": to reach the lowest or most fundamental point.

  • After years of mismanagement, the company hit bedrock and had to restructure completely. (Reached the lowest, most basic level.)

• "Solid as bedrock": extremely stable and reliable.

  • Her support for the project is solid as bedrock. (Unwavering and dependable.)