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
Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
That was why, at a Village Board meeting held last week, some 20 residents, frustrated by the lack of elemental services in the complex, told village trustees how bad things are.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Stuart Dyos, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
Admittedly, this feels like a slight elemental overcorrection.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
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Adjective
Built directly into the red cliffs of the Côte d’Azur, this modernist hotel focuses on elemental pleasures.
—Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
That was why, at a Village Board meeting held last week, some 20 residents, frustrated by the lack of elemental services in the complex, told village trustees how bad things are.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Noun
Named after the elemental compounds involved, LFPs are cheaper than other battery cell counterparts used in electric vehicles.
—Stuart Dyos, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
Admittedly, this feels like a slight elemental overcorrection.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 6 July 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 3 Aug. 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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