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keystone

UK
/ˈkiːstəʊn/
US
/ˈkiˌstoʊn/

Translations

keystonenoun
keystones
pl
UK
/ˈkiːstəʊn/
US
/ˈkiˌstoʊn/
clé de voûteSens architectural.
The keystone was carefully placed to ensure the stability of the ancient bridge.
La clé de voûte a été soigneusement mise en place pour assurer la stabilité du vieux pont.
clé de voûteSens figuré : élément central ou fondamental.
Education is the keystone of the government's reform agenda.
L'éducation est la clé de voûte du programme de réforme du gouvernement.
Additional translations
espèce cléÉcologie.
Synonyms
foundation
cornerstone
mainstay
essential element
linchpin
keystoneverb
keystoned
Past Simple
keystoned
Past Participle
keystoning
Gerund
Rare transitive verb meaning ‘to secure (an arch) with a keystone’.
Additional translations
soutenirSens figuré.
coifferArchitecture ; emploi rare et approximatif selon le contexte.
Synonyms
buttress
support
anchor
compensate
realign
rectify
correct
adjust
prop
underpin
centralize
stabilize
cornerstone
secure
keystoneadjective
UK
/ˈkiːstəʊn/
US
/ˈkistoʊn/
Usually attributive and not comparable
cléSens figuré : essentiel, central.
Access to clean water is a keystone factor in public health.
L'accès à l'eau potable est un facteur clé de la santé publique.
Synonyms
key
central
pivotal
crucial
essential
fundamental
foundational
core
principal
primary
indispensable
critical
vital

Definitions

keystonenoun
A central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole arch together.
The keystone was carefully placed to ensure the stability of the ancient bridge.
The central principle or part of a policy, system, etc., on which all else depends.
Education is the keystone of the government's reform agenda.
A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its ecosystem relative to its abundance (short for ‘keystone species’).
Sea otters are a keystone in the kelp-forest ecosystem.
keystoneverb
To secure or complete (an arch) by inserting the keystone.
The stonemasons keystoned the arch before the mortar set.
To act as the crucial element that completes or supports something.
Her detailed analysis keystoned the team’s proposal.
keystoneadjective
Central, crucial, or foundational; on which all else depends.
Access to clean water is a keystone factor in public health.
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