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
Lawson has leadership experience from prior roles, including director of curriculum and instruction as well as elementary principal across multiple districts, officials said.
—
Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The Master Gardeners support a Junior Master Gardener program, an after-school initiative that introduces elementary-aged students to gardening, nature, and environmental science in a hands-on way.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
But this district — with seven elementary and two middle schools — is enduring a crippling strike, affecting about 3,400 students drawn from Santa Fe Springs and parts of Norwalk and Downey.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Like other Democrats, Gillibrand also tried in vain to get Hegseth to answer questions about a deadly strike on an Iranian elementary girls school that killed more than 165 people, including many children.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elementary
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The Master Gardeners support a Junior Master Gardener program, an after-school initiative that introduces elementary-aged students to gardening, nature, and environmental science in a hands-on way.
—Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 3 May 2026
But this district — with seven elementary and two middle schools — is enduring a crippling strike, affecting about 3,400 students drawn from Santa Fe Springs and parts of Norwalk and Downey.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Like other Democrats, Gillibrand also tried in vain to get Hegseth to answer questions about a deadly strike on an Iranian elementary girls school that killed more than 165 people, including many children.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 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 7 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
