fundamental

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, carbon cycle—these fundamental reactions are happening across the globe, but in a wastewater plant it’s happening on steroids,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The fundamental problem is that the nominal 50-50 energy split between internal combustion and electrical power with the current engine architecture does not work without major compromises.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

"Nissan's fundamental challenges lie in the decline of product competitiveness in North America, the rapid decline in sales in China, and the damage to its brand power," said Tatsuo Yoshida, analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

Jones Act waivers trim pennies, though permanent repeal may cause more fundamental changes, such as reduced rail and truck transport of all goods, which could lower costs, emissions and infrastructure damage associated with cargo transportation.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

Here the fundamental distinction between facts and explanations, which goes back to Montaigne and beyond, is restated.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton