noun
Uncommon
keystone
KEE-stohn
Keystone (noun) means the central wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks the other stones in place. Example: “Remove the keystone and the whole arch collapses.”
noun
1
The central wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks the other stones in place.
"Remove the keystone and the whole arch collapses."
"The tunnel, which is 1,000 yd. long, had been closed to passenger traffic since November 17, 1949, after some of the keystones had worked loose."
— , Notes and News: Sugar Loaf Tunnel, Central Wales Line (1950)
2
The central element that everything else depends on or is built around.
"Trust is the keystone of any good relationship."
How to use keystone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally the locking stone at the top of an arch, or figuratively the single most essential part of a plan, argument, or system.
Common pairings
keystone of the arch
keystone species
keystone policy
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like keystone.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- keystones
- Third person singular
- keystones
- Past tense
- keystoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Remove the _____ and the whole arch collapses.
Etymology
From "key" (in the sense of a locking piece) and "stone" — the stone that locks an arch together.
Related words
Rhymes for keystone
See all rhymes for keystone →Frequently asked questions
What does “keystone” mean?
The word “keystone” means the central wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks the other stones in place. In plain terms, literally the locking stone at the top of an arch, or figuratively the single most essential part of a plan, argument, or system.
How do you pronounce “keystone”?
“Keystone” is pronounced KEE-stohn (/ˈkiː.stəʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “keystone” in a sentence?
Here is “keystone” used in a sentence: “Remove the keystone and the whole arch collapses.”
What part of speech is “keystone”?
“Keystone” is a noun.
Is “keystone” a common word?
“Keystone” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “keystone” have?
“Keystone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the central wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch that locks the other stones in place.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include keystone:
