mineral

noun min·er·al \ ˈmin-rəl , ˈmi-nə- \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 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

Asbestos is a mineral frequently found near talc deposits.

— jef feeley, Bloomberg.com, "J&J Faces High-Stakes Trial Over 22 Women's Talc Claims," 6 June 2018
Mineral specimens, cut gems, fossils and jewelry made from gems and minerals will be for sale.

— laura groch, sandiegouniontribune.com, "North County Community News, June 6," 6 June 2018
That said, Roulot’s Meursaults tend to be a little leaner and more mineral than those of some of his neighbors.

— jay mcinerney, Town & Country, "Meet Jean-Marc Roulot, the Actor Turned Top French Winemaker," 29 May 2018
The water is comprised of silica, algae and minerals.

— liz dufour, USA TODAY, "WOW Air stopover: Photos of 82 hours in Iceland," 25 May 2018
People with this genetic disease lack sufficient levels of phosphate, a mineral needed in bone formation, in their bodies.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "From lab to pharmacy: IU researchers' discovery leads to new drug to treat rare bone disease," 18 May 2018
The prize is a battery mineral, cobalt, which Glencore produces in the DRC and whose value has almost tripled since the electric-vehicle revolution accelerated at the start of 2017.

— The Economist, "Glencore, a hard-slugging mining giant, meets its match in Congo," 3 May 2018
Archaeologists and historians now think the Viking solar stones might actually have been a mineral called calcite, or Icelandic spar, which has a crystal structure that polarizes light.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "Mysterious sunstones in medieval Viking texts could really have worked," 6 Apr. 2018
The crushed rocks, known as tailings, are rich in magnesium, a mineral that can be transformed into a light metal that's used in everything from medical implants to Tesla electric cars.

— sandrine rastello and natalie obiko pearson, chicagotribune.com, "Town built on asbestos may find new life in by-product of deadly mineral," 20 Mar. 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

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
Scientists detected the prion that causes chronic wasting disease in soil and water at mineral lick sites in south-central Wisconsin, according to work published Wednesday by University of Wisconsin researchers.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW researchers verify chronic wasting disease prions at mineral lick sites," 2 May 2018
The vents, where hot, mineral rich water warmed by magma flows deeper underground pours through cracks in the ocean floor, were only discovered in 1977.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Colony of Beautiful, Doomed Purple Octopuses Found Off Costa Rica," 21 Apr. 2018
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

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