mineral

noun min·er·al \ ˈmin-rəl , ˈmi-nə- \

Updated on: 18 Apr 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

Funds from a $224m loan package negotiated last summer with the IMF were withheld over the APC’s failure to achieve stricter enforcement of import taxes and collection of market-rate royalties on mineral exports.

— The Economist, "Sierra Leone’s new president has made big promises," 12 Apr. 2018
Normally only seen in livestock like sheep, cattle, and goats, the condition is caused by a muscle-gripping mineral deficiency that can lead to paralysis and heart failure, which was the cubs’ ultimate cause of death.

— elaina zachos, National Geographic, "Exclusive: Fatal Disease Likely Found in Lion Cubs for First Time," 11 Apr. 2018
Materials like the copper ore mineral chalcocite and fool's gold, pyrite, are sulfidic anions.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Sulfuric Volcanoes May Have Quickened Life on Earth," 9 Apr. 2018
In the Fuyan Cave, for instance, teeth were found among mineral deposits that were at least 80,000 years old.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "A finger bone from an unexpected place and time upends the story of human migration out of Africa," 9 Apr. 2018
Many other animals, from insects to birds to nonhuman primates, have been known to self-medicate with plants and minerals for infections and other conditions.

— doug main, Scientific American, "Orangutans Use Plant Extracts to Treat Pain," 6 Apr. 2018
Blind tasting puts Louisville to the test Other sources of antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E, the mineral selenium, and the phytochemical lycopene found in tomatoes.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "Free radicals, antioxidants and why you should maybe drink more red wine," 5 Apr. 2018
Why not use electricity to detect minerals underground, specifically formations associated with oil?

— meryle secrest, WSJ, "‘Double Vision’ Review: American Medicis," 5 Apr. 2018
Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum Collections of local pioneer and American Indian artifacts, as well as a rock and mineral display, housed in a charming 1877-built school house.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "22 reasons to wander Lake County now," 5 Apr. 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

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

For example, many of the colorants that are used in makeup are mineral pigments, iron oxides, ultramarine colorants, etc.

— joyann king, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why You Can't "Print" Quality Cosmetics," 9 May 2014
Made of 60 percent garnacha and 30 percent tempranillo, this one was full of herbal and mineral notes, bright red fruit and spice.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "12 Riojas that will help you understand prized Spanish wine," 21 Feb. 2018
Mezcal distilled in traditional clay pots has an earthy, mineral aspect that many new drinkers find too weird off the bat, which is why Heugel usually starts people off with copper-distilled versions.

— max falkowitz, GQ, "How to Buy the Best Mezcal Like a Pro," 11 Jan. 2018
The base is home to the U.N. mission’s rapid intervention force, which has a rare mandate to go on the offensive against armed groups that number in the dozens in the vast, mineral-rich region.

— Washington Post, "UN to pursue rebels who killed 14 peacekeepers in Congo," 19 Dec. 2017
Mistletoe extract – steals – water, mineral elements and food from tree hosts; hence the name.

— sarah stolz, Cincinnati.com, "Mistletoe, the tree thief," 18 Dec. 2017
Later, soak in the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool ($15.75, Glenwood Hot Springs) and stay at nearby Hotel Denver, which has historic charm and updated everything else (from $169).

— kristi valentini, Redbook, "15 Family Vacations You Need to Take Your Kids on Before They Grow Up," 14 Dec. 2017
The spectrum rights issue might better be understood by a thought experiment: Consider how efficiency and growth were promoted by the evolution of subsurface mineral property rights.

— WSJ, "Oil and Spectrum Rights Models Offer a Clue," 9 Oct. 2017
Four months after completing the course, there are still no takers for the 24-year-old trained mine electrician from Odisha, one of India’s most mineral-rich states.

— bibhudatta pradhan, Bloomberg.com, "Imperfect Skills Programs No Match for India's Army of Workers," 15 Oct. 2017

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

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

MINERAL Defined for Kids

mineral

noun min·er·al \ ˈmi-nə-rəl , ˈmin-rəl \

Definition of mineral for Students

1 : a naturally occurring solid substance (as diamond, gold, or quartz) that is not of plant or animal origin

2 : a naturally occurring substance (as ore, coal, salt, or petroleum) obtained from the ground usually for humans to use

mineral

adjective

Definition of mineral for Students

1 : of or relating to minerals

a mineral deposit

2 : containing gases or mineral salts

mineral water

Medical Dictionary

mineral

noun min·er·al \ ˈmin(-ə)-rəl \

medical Definition of mineral

: a solid homogeneous crystalline chemical element or compound that results from the inorganic processes of nature

mineral

adjective

medical Definition of mineral

1 : of or relating to minerals; also : inorganic

2 : impregnated with mineral substances

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Spanish Central: Translation of mineral Nglish: Translation of mineral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mineral for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mineral

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mineral

Definition of mineral

Examples of mineral in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mineral from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mineral

Other Mineralogy Terms

mineral

Definition of mineral

Recent Examples of mineral from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mineral

Other Mineralogy Terms

MINERAL Defined for English Language Learners

mineral

Definition of mineral for English Language Learners

MINERAL Defined for Kids

mineral

Definition of mineral for Students

mineral

Definition of mineral for Students

Medical Dictionary

mineral

medical Definition of mineral

mineral

medical Definition of mineral

Learn More about mineral

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