definition of
fundamental

[1] #1 fundamental s. [cardinal, central, key, primal] serving as an essential component; "a cardinal rule"; "the central cause of the problem"; "an example that was fundamental to the argument"; "computers are fundamental to modern industrial structure". wn

[2] #2 fundamental s. [profound] far-reaching and thoroughgoing in effect especially on the nature of something; "the fundamental revolution in human values that has occurred"; "the book underwent fundamental changes"; "committed the fundamental error of confusing spending with extravaga. wn

[3] #3 fundamental n. any factor that could be considered important to the understanding of a particular business; "fundamentals include a company's growth, revenues, earnings, management, and capital structure". wn

[4] #4 fundamental n. [fundamental frequency, first harmonic] the lowest tone of a harmonic series. wn