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

Beginning in the 1960s, in an effort to diversify their economies, the Gulf countries invested heavily in their fertilizer industries, leveraging their abundant natural resources. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026

That shared natural resource is a big reason Qatar has long maintained closer relations with Iran than its neighbors—to their consternation. —Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026

Anika Agrawal, a member of the union’s bargaining team and a PhD student studying natural resources and the environment, said that the rise in fees would negate any increase in stipends the students had received over the last few years. —Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026

Allison McGillis, the city’s director of planning and zoning, said the policy prohibiting lakefront lot splits is in place to protect community character and natural resources along Winter Park’s lakes. —Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 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)