tenet
n.a basic belief or principle that a person or group holds to be true. It is a core idea that does not change, even when other things around it do.
n.a fundamental principle or belief held by a person, group, or organization. Often used in the plural to describe the core doctrines of a philosophy or religion.
“One of the main tenets of the new law is fairness.”
“The company's core tenets include environmental responsibility and the ethical treatment of all employees.”
“While the specific applications of the theory have evolved over time, its foundational tenets regarding human nature remain largely unchanged since its inception in the nineteenth century.”
Usage fundamental tenet
Borrowed from Latin tenet (“he, she, or it holds”), from teneō (“hold; have”). Compare obsolete tenent. See tenable.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.