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
ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
In their purest form, rare earths aren't rocks but elemental metals – deep cuts on the periodic table, numbers 57-through-71 and two others, for those scoring at home.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 19 Feb. 2026
At its most elemental, Black History Month is about seeing the nation in full.
—Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
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Adjective
If its level is outside the ideal range, raise it by incorporating garden lime or lower it with elemental sulfur, following the dosing directions on the package label.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
In their purest form, rare earths aren't rocks but elemental metals – deep cuts on the periodic table, numbers 57-through-71 and two others, for those scoring at home.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
Unlike the Mediterranean tradition of open-air marine pools, Montauk’s interpretation feels distinctly Atlantic: bracing, elemental and performance-driven.
—Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 19 Feb. 2026
At its most elemental, Black History Month is about seeing the nation in full.
—Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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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