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
In elementary education, many students have suffered from unscientific reading strategies.
—
Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The district says three other students have been taken by federal agents, including a 17-year-old boy who was reportedly removed from his car on his way to school, and a 10-year-old elementary schooler who was taken alongside her mother two weeks earlier.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The district’s Early Learning Center, School Age Care (SAC), elementary and middle school before- and after-school activities, as well as Community Education classes and activities, are cancelled.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Pavelonis received her masters degree in education administration from Murray State University and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University.
—Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elementary
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Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The district says three other students have been taken by federal agents, including a 17-year-old boy who was reportedly removed from his car on his way to school, and a 10-year-old elementary schooler who was taken alongside her mother two weeks earlier.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The district’s Early Learning Center, School Age Care (SAC), elementary and middle school before- and after-school activities, as well as Community Education classes and activities, are cancelled.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Pavelonis received her masters degree in education administration from Murray State University and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University.
—Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elementary
Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elementary. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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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