mineral

noun

min·er·al | \ˈmin-rəl,

ˈmi-nə-\

Definition of mineral

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : ore

2 : an inorganic substance (as in the ash of calcined tissue)

3 obsolete : mine

4 : something neither animal nor vegetable

5a : a solid homogeneous crystalline chemical element or compound that results from the inorganic processes of nature broadly : any of various naturally occurring homogeneous substances (such as stone, coal, salt, sulfur, sand, petroleum, water, or natural gas) obtained usually from the ground

b : a synthetic substance having the chemical composition and crystalline form and properties of a naturally occurring mineral

6 minerals plural, British : mineral water

mineral

adjective

Definition of mineral (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of or relating to minerals also : inorganic

2 : impregnated with mineral substances

Examples of mineral in a Sentence

Noun

an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

San Francisco County Fair Building, 9th Ave. and Lincoln Way, S.F. www.sfsucculent.org Summer in San Francisco Crystal Fair Rocks & minerals, gems & jewelry, metaphysical arts, massage, psychic readings and more. — Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Events listings," 31 May 2018 If staple foods like rice fail to provide critical vitamins and minerals, illnesses like anemia and beriberi will rise, stalling progress in the climb out of poverty. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "The weird power of rising carbon dioxide to make rice less nutritious," 24 May 2018 There are new alien types to discover as well, including strange new creatures that disguise themselves as minerals. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, "No Man’s Sky’s new update makes its sci-fi worlds even more alien," 21 Nov. 2018 This relies on differences in temperature to pump gases (like air) through nanoscale pores in many minerals. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Insect-inspired microfluidics could help Ant-Man and the Wasp breathe," 18 Nov. 2018 Next up, the acids in plaque attack minerals in the protective, hard enamel surface of your teeth, which leads to holes, the Mayo Clinic explains. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Is It Actually Possible to Get Rid of Cavities Without Fillings?," 17 Oct. 2018 The ingredient, created by extracting silicate crystals from other minerals processed at high temperatures, is also used by brands like Skin Owl, which makes an illuminating face oil. — Jocelyn C. Zuckerman, Marie Claire, "Is Your Makeup the Result of Child Labor?," 16 Oct. 2018 Sea shells, which were used by the Mayans as trading coins, are incorporated into massages and said to release nourishing minerals into the skin. — Christina Perez, Harper's BAZAAR, "These Ancient Rituals Should Be Your New Go-To Beauty Treatments," 15 Oct. 2018 The seas are surprisingly electronic with mechanical giants preparing to mine minerals or other robot meant to mimic the surrounding fauna. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "This Soft Robotic Arm Is Built To Study the Ocean's Most Delicate Creatures," 3 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Climeworks' small plant captures that carbon and injects it back into the ground, where mineral reactions help the CO2 bind with basalt, essentially storing the gas as a rock. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Company that sucks CO2 from air announces a new methane-producing plant," 4 Oct. 2018 The vast, mineral-rich nation is under pressure to ensure free and fair elections. — Edith M. Lederer, The Seattle Times, "Church leaders in Congo say election observers are critical," 27 Aug. 2018 Bloomberg Markets with Cory Johnson and Guest Host Dani Burger GUEST: Janet Lorin Higher Education Reporter Bloomberg Editorial Will discuss her mineral rights story. — Bloomberg.com, "Janet Lorin on Mineral Rights (Audio)," 7 Aug. 2017 The vast, mineral-rich nation is under pressure to ensure a fair election in December amid concerns that President Joseph Kabila, in office since 2001, will try to run again or hold on to power. — Washington Post, "Voting machines raise worries in Congo ahead of elections," 22 June 2018 All of these wines have savoriness in common, with herbal, mineral flavors and, in the best versions, a distinct absence of fruit flavors save for citrus. — Eric Asimov, New York Times, "From the Savory Side, the Salty Carricantes of Sicily," 26 Apr. 2018 Protect yourself from harmful UV rays with these reef-safe, paraben-free, mineral sunscreen alternatives. — Mandy Ferreira, Sunset, "10 Sunscreens That Keep You and the Coral Reefs Safe," 22 Jan. 2018 The country sits on an estimated $6 trillion worth of mineral reserves, including iron, gold, zinc, graphite and a host of rare earth materials needed in the production of smartphones and other high tech products. — James Griffiths, CNN, "After nukes and summits, can Kim Jong Un reform North Korea's economy?," 8 June 2018 Other states have allowed mineral rights to be severed from surface rights. — Sara Sneath, NOLA.com, "As Louisiana's coast washes away, state cashing in on disputed oil and gas rights," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mineral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.