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 HittSynonyms
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 WebDaniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2024
Accordingly, astronomers have long theorized that a star with lower metallicity would have fewer planets, owing to the lack of elemental building blocks to create them.
—Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 1 Aug. 2024
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Aug. 2024
So, a 400 mg supplement of zinc sulfate would contain around 92 mg of elemental zinc.
—Hannah Coakley, Msph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for elemental 
Adjective
Avatar will keep with the elemental theme following 2022’s The Way of Water, with the third film in the series now titled Fire and Ash.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2024
Accordingly, astronomers have long theorized that a star with lower metallicity would have fewer planets, owing to the lack of elemental building blocks to create them.
—Briley Lewis, Popular Science, 1 Aug. 2024
Noun
The team used an X-ray fluorescence tool, which resembles a ray gun, to conduct a chemical and elemental analysis on the newfound fragments.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 10 Aug. 2024
So, a 400 mg supplement of zinc sulfate would contain around 92 mg of elemental zinc.
—Hannah Coakley, Msph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for elemental
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elemental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
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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