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
Nor do air-traffic controllers, bus drivers, elementary-school teachers (but not high-school teachers), Sephora employees, or blackjack dealers.
—
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Marbrey said the charges against the retired Hamilton Township, New Jersey, elementary schoolteacher stem from an investigation into online child exploitation by her office’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
But the plot is simultaneously excessive and elementary, laden with unnecessary and uninspired divergences.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Byock began speaking with other parents of elementary and middle school children, invited a group of them to her house for wine and cookies and heard stories similar to hers from parents who had been trying to raise their kids with as little screen time as possible.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elementary
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Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
Marbrey said the charges against the retired Hamilton Township, New Jersey, elementary schoolteacher stem from an investigation into online child exploitation by her office’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
But the plot is simultaneously excessive and elementary, laden with unnecessary and uninspired divergences.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Byock began speaking with other parents of elementary and middle school children, invited a group of them to her house for wine and cookies and heard stories similar to hers from parents who had been trying to raise their kids with as little screen time as possible.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elementary
Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elementary. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
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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