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

He was named in a U.N. investigation into the exploitation of mineral resources in Congo and has been active in making Harare a significant diamond trading center. — Andrew Meldrum, Fox News, "Zimbabwe's 'Crocodile' faces tough challenges as president," 3 Aug. 2018 As well as its mineral resources, North Korea would also present a boom to manufacturers, especially those south of the DMZ, who would be able to take advantage of a Korean speaking workforce at far lower costs. — James Griffiths, CNN, "After nukes and summits, can Kim Jong Un reform North Korea's economy?," 8 June 2018 In addition to geological concerns, a CEQA analysis must also address a project’s impact regarding air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous materials, water quality, mineral resources, traffic, noise, housing, public utilities and more. — Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, "Got several years and several million dollars? You probably still can’t plant a Napa Valley vineyard," 17 May 2018 Taking advantage of advances in drilling technology, more than 4000 new wells will be developed in the area in the coming years, predicts the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages development of federal mineral resources. — April Reese, Science | AAAS, "Drilling boom threatens web of ancient roads in Southwest," 16 May 2018 With about 8,200 employees, the office provides science and mapping on ecosystems, energy and mineral resources, water use, and natural hazards like earthquakes and volcanoes. — Brittany Patterson, Scientific American, "Nominee to Lead USGS Is Hard to Read," 7 Mar. 2018 The company has drawn activists’ concern that minerals from conflict-prone countries in the region, especially Congo, will be among its raw materials. — Rodney Muhumuza, The Seattle Times, "Uganda holds 3.6 tons of gold possibly from Venezuela," 25 Mar. 2019 Communities ranging from Hawaii to Italy have relied on the mineral-heavy soil that eventually comes from a volcanic explosion. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Hawaii Added 875 Acres of Volcanic Land Last Year," 25 Feb. 2019 For example, corporate America and regulators have tussled over regulations that require companies to disclose the ratio between CEO and worker pay and that make them disclose whether conflict minerals are in their supply chain. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Donald Trump’s sudden interest in quarterly earnings reports, explained," 19 Aug. 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.