natural resource

noun

1

natural resources plural : industrial materials and capacities (such as mineral deposits and waterpower) supplied by nature

2

: resource sense 1b

Examples of natural resource in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Faced with a foreign infestation, the staid official from your local department of natural resources finally has occasion to vent a little spleen. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

In recent years, hyperscale data centers have drawn widespread criticism due to their massive power consumption and heavy draw on natural resources, particularly freshwater. — CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

In June, 40 mayors around the world signed a pact to curtail the negative impact of the construction of AI data centers on the natural resources, energy prices or climate targets of cities from Phoenix to Melbourne. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

Principles cover management, natural resources, crop protection, fiber quality decent work and sustainable livelihoods. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

natural resource

noun

: something (as a mineral, waterpower source, forest, or kind of animal) that is found in nature and is valuable to humans (as in providing a source of energy, recreation, or scenic beauty)