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
Synonyms
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
The grand marshal will be Pia Harris-Ebert, longtime San Marcos elementary teacher and the first woman to serve on the San Marcos City Council.
—
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023
The goal is to have a community reader in every elementary classroom.
—Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2023
In Charlotte County, near Fort Myers, schools were told to remove any books with LGBTQ characters from elementary and middle school libraries.
—Ruby Cramer, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
Most scams follow an elementary bait-and-switch technique, where the scoundrel lures you in with attractive bait and then, at the right time, switches to a different option.
—WIRED, 2 Oct. 2023
In a Facebook post, Bonnie Albert said that the moose on the loose arrived just before elementary students were arriving at Naquag Elementary School in Rutland, Massachusetts on Monday.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2023
The stadium is owned and operated by the school district, which is where Richardson completed her elementary and high school studies.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 31 Oct. 2023
Instead, it could be used for an elementary or middle school.
—Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
Teach your children well A new law written by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) will require California public schools to include climate change in their science curricula for elementary and high school students.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
See More
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023
The goal is to have a community reader in every elementary classroom.
—Cynthia Howell, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2023
In Charlotte County, near Fort Myers, schools were told to remove any books with LGBTQ characters from elementary and middle school libraries.
—Ruby Cramer, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023
Most scams follow an elementary bait-and-switch technique, where the scoundrel lures you in with attractive bait and then, at the right time, switches to a different option.
—WIRED, 2 Oct. 2023
In a Facebook post, Bonnie Albert said that the moose on the loose arrived just before elementary students were arriving at Naquag Elementary School in Rutland, Massachusetts on Monday.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2023
The stadium is owned and operated by the school district, which is where Richardson completed her elementary and high school studies.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 31 Oct. 2023
Instead, it could be used for an elementary or middle school.
—Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2023
Teach your children well A new law written by Assemblymember Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) will require California public schools to include climate change in their science curricula for elementary and high school students.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elementary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of elementary was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing elementary
Dictionary Entries Near elementary
Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elementary. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on elementary
Nglish: Translation of elementary for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of elementary for Arabic Speakers
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