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

Japan today opens its first summit with Central Asian nations, joining China and others in the scramble for the region’s abundant natural resources. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Her people live in Pandora’s rainforests, a land rich in unobtanium, the powerful natural resource (think mega-oil) humans are here to mine. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025

Adonis Pouroulis is an entrepreneur and mining engineer with over 30 years of experience in natural resources and energy. —Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2025

However, until comprehensive legislative solutions are found, genuine progress depends on companies proactively taking accountability in an industry built on the exploitation of people and natural resources. —Céline Van De Loo, Sourcing Journal, 16 Dec. 2025

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)