élan vital
noun
élan vi·tal
ā-ˌläⁿ-vē-ˈtäl 
: the vital force or impulse of life
especially
: a creative principle held by Bergson to be immanent in all organisms and responsible for evolution
Examples of élan vital in a Sentence
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And a mention that Victor was a big believer in the philosophical concept of elan vital, the idea that all organic material holds an intangible force willing it into being.
—
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
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Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“élan vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%C3%A9lan%20vital. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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