mineral

noun min·er·al \ ˈmin-rəl , ˈmi-nə- \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of mineral

1 : ore

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

3 obsolete : mine

4 : something neither animal nor vegetable

5 a : 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

See mineral defined for English-language learners

See mineral defined for kids

Examples of mineral in a Sentence

an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals

Recent Examples of mineral from the Web

The sediments at Shangchen lack volcanic minerals, which provide the gold standard for radiometric dating methods and are plentiful in Africa.

— ann gibbons, Science | AAAS, "Our ancestors may have left Africa hundreds of thousands of years earlier than thought," 11 July 2018
The company flirted with building its own batteries and reportedly tried to secure a contract for cobalt, an important mineral for lithium-ion batteries that primarily comes from conflict-rife areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "Chinese firm will build battery factory in Germany to supply BMW, Volkswagen," 9 July 2018
The minerals deflect the UV rays, while chemicals absorb them.

— nanette asimov, SFChronicle.com, "With Hawaii banning harmful sunscreens, what’s a responsible tourist to do?," 7 July 2018
Canned salmon and tuna contain healthy omega-3 fats and vitamins as well as minerals like A, D B6 and B12.

— terri milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Keep your cool: No-heat cooking keeps you comfortable and the food fresh," 5 July 2018
Tons of materials—petroleum, metals and other minerals—must be extracted, moved and processed to make a single automobile.

— mark p. mills, WSJ, "Robots Run the Farm, but You Can Eat Only So Much," 25 June 2018
The prospect is relatively small, but the high concentration of gold and other minerals make up for the size, MacVeigh said.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "In deal with CIRI, company plans to pursue mineral exploration in Lake Clark National Park," 22 June 2018
One of the challenges is ensuring that the lakes, which start out having the acidity of vinegar due to minerals churned up by mining, are made safe for animals and people.

— Fox News, "How Germany is turning wasteland into vast lakeside resorts," 14 June 2018
In fact, iron solubility (a measure of how much of the mineral would be available to humans) was significantly higher for insects than for sirloin beef.

— amanda macmillan, Health.com, "Is Cockroach Milk Really a New Superfood? Here's What We Know," 29 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.

Origin and Etymology of mineral

Middle English, from Medieval Latin minerale, from neuter of mineralis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Mineralogy Terms

agate, host, inclusion, matrix, streak

mineral

adjective

Definition of mineral

1 : of or relating to minerals; also : inorganic

2 : impregnated with mineral substances

Recent Examples of mineral from the Web

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
The stark landscape, intense sun and dry heat result in an austere and fiercely mineral wine, whose textural thrust seems to be a vinous version of the vines' stark surroundings.

— patrick comiskey, latimes.com, "Cool white wines from hot climates," 15 May 2018
The region became the world's biggest producer of copper, and generated more mineral wealth than the California Gold Rush.

— john carlisle, Detroit Free Press, "John Carlisle: Fortitude, tradition help Finns flourish in brutal U.P.," 24 Aug. 2014

Origin and Etymology of mineral

Middle English, from Medieval Latin mineralis, from minera mine, ore, from Old French minere, miniere, from mine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Mineralogy Terms

agate, host, inclusion, matrix, streak

MINERAL Defined for English Language Learners

mineral

noun

Definition of mineral for English Language Learners

: a substance (such as quartz, coal, petroleum, salt, etc.) that is naturally formed under the ground
: a chemical substance (such as iron or zinc) that occurs naturally in certain foods and that is important for good health