elementary
adjective
el·e·men·ta·ry
ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē 
-ˈmen-trē
1
a
: of, relating to, or dealing with the simplest elements or principles of something
b
: of or relating to an elementary school
Examples of elementary in a Sentence
He is lacking even the most elementary notions of fairness.
The researchers made an elementary error.
He has an elementary understanding of calculus.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the past 27 years, McCall has also served as a high school administrator, elementary principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
—
Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Early childhood education and elementary education majors consistently post some of the lowest median early‑career earnings among all college graduates.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The 13-year-old girl charged after a stabbing at an elementary-middle school in Detroit has been placed on probation, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
In addition, the 2026 mid-year results for the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) show the district outperformed the state across all grades in English language arts, as well as in math across all elementary grades and in sixth and seventh grades.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elementary
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Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Early childhood education and elementary education majors consistently post some of the lowest median early‑career earnings among all college graduates.
—Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The 13-year-old girl charged after a stabbing at an elementary-middle school in Detroit has been placed on probation, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
In addition, the 2026 mid-year results for the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) show the district outperformed the state across all grades in English language arts, as well as in math across all elementary grades and in sixth and seventh grades.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elementary
Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elementary. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elementary
adjective
el·e·men·ta·ry
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ə-rē
-ˈmen-trē
1
: of or relating to the simplest principles of a subject
2
: of, relating to, or teaching the basic subjects of education
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