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

Plus, many sunscreens these days contain both mineral and chemical ingredients. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How to Pick the Best Sunscreen for Your Lovely Face," 10 May 2019 Still, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends that people with sensitive skin start with mineral sunscreens. — Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "How to Pick the Best Sunscreen for Your Lovely Face," 10 May 2019 Soft tissue such as muscle do not typically fossilize, but these were preserved as the mineral pyrite. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "A 150-Year Old Weird Ancient Animal Mystery, Solved," 22 Feb. 2019 Though the Far East accounts for some 40% of Russia’s land mass and much of its mineral wealth, it is inhabited today by only 8 million people—fewer than the nearby Chinese provincial city Harbin. — Yaroslav Trofimov, WSJ, "The New Beijing-Moscow Axis," 1 Feb. 2019 Mountains flushed with mineral color reared around apparently boundless horizons. — Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, "Going Off-Grid in Namibia," 21 Dec. 2018 President Trump's tariffs on rare-earth metals from China should have been a boon to the only US rare-earth minerals mine in California. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Tariffs on Chinese rare-earth minerals create a sticky problem for US competitors," 30 Nov. 2018 The antioxidants and minerals in legumes also improve blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "6 Things You Need to Know Before Trying Whole30," 7 Aug. 2018 Nuts are a good source of unsaturated fats as well as fiber, protein and a variety of minerals and antioxidants. — Consumer Reports, Washington Post, "From oatmeal to sardines, 7 foods that really can help hearts stay healthy," 7 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Tshisekedi succeeded Joseph Kabila, who governed the largely impoverished but mineral-rich central African country for 18 years. — Edith M. Lederer, The Seattle Times, "UN starts looking toward the end of peacekeeping in Congo," 29 Mar. 2019 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

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.