el·e·men·tal
ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
b(1)
: of, relating to, or being the basic or essential constituent of something : fundamental
elemental biological needs
(2)
: simple, uncomplicated
elemental food
c
: of, relating to, or dealing with the rudiments of something : elementary
taught elemental crafts to the children
d
: forming an integral part : inherent
an elemental sense of rhythm
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a great force of nature
the rains come with elemental violence
elemental passions
plural elementals
1
: a supernatural being : spirit
"It's a heritage. My mother was a witch and her mother was a witch. My specialty is (prophetic) dreaming. We believe elementals do exist," said Lady L …—
D. L. Stephenson
D. L. Stephenson2
: an elementary part or principle
—usually plural
All objects consist of smaller objects. … Lamps, bicycles, and houses are compound objects made of constituent parts, or elementals.—Alan L. Laity
Alan L. LaityThese two epistemologies exist in distinct dimensions: science struggles to discover the elementals of our material existence through empiricism, and theology strives to describe the universality of our … existence through faith.—Jack Hitt
Jack HittExamples of elemental in a Sentence
Adjective
an elemental difference between the two
Their elemental passion led to tragedy.
the elemental power of the storm
an elemental analysis of the solution
Recent Examples on the Web
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
Increasingly urban people viewed fire less as an elemental force of creation and destruction than the stuff of candles and hearths.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Mar. 2025
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
In addition to multispectral imaging, the researchers also used X-ray fluorescence, which surveys elemental composition, and fiber-optic reflectance spectroscopy, which analyzes pigments.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
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Adjective
Something so elemental, and yet, at the moment, something so elusive.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2025
Increasingly urban people viewed fire less as an elemental force of creation and destruction than the stuff of candles and hearths.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
At the time, atomic fusion was not yet a thing, and scientists thought the sun had a similar elemental makeup as Earth.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
In addition to multispectral imaging, the researchers also used X-ray fluorescence, which surveys elemental composition, and fiber-optic reflectance spectroscopy, which analyzes pigments.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
especially
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a force of nature
Medical Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
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