elemental

adjective

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el·e·men·tal | \ ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl

Definition of elemental

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

elemental

noun

plural elementals

Definition of elemental (Entry 2 of 2)

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

2 : 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. 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

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Examples 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: Adjective Because of his experiences as a physician and researcher, Dr. Deisseroth recognizes the limitations of science and medicine and the transcendent value of elemental human connection. — David A. Shaywitz, WSJ, 19 July 2021 The study relies on stoichiometry, which measures the elemental ratios that appear in the chemistry of cells and ecosystems. — Natalie Elliot, Scientific American, 16 July 2021 Lockwood turns to very physical, almost elemental human tragedy as a contrast to the internet. — Kyle Chayka, The New Republic, 30 June 2021 But there is another elemental aspect to their identity, too. — Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2021 Top Gun takes elemental themes—parents and children, humans and nature, individual desires and communal demands—and funnels them into its hero’s journey. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 15 June 2021 Each visit feels like a return to something elemental, always with some new joy to be discovered. — Jill K. Robinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2021 The kingdom’s defense against the Fold is a population of elemental magic users called Grisha. — Jenna Scherer, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2021 Olaizola makes the usual building blocks of a scary movie feel more inevitable and elemental, as if a centuries-old score stretching far past the boundaries of the screen is finally being settled. — Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 23 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elemental.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.