element

1 one of the parts that make up a whole a free press is an essential element of a democracy Synonyms building block, component, constituent, factor, ingredient, member Related Words basis, part and parcel; detail, item, particular, point; aspect, characteristic, facet, feature, trait; division, fragment, particle, partition, piece, portion, section, sector, segment; subcomponent Near Antonyms aggregate, composite, compound, mass; entirety, sum, summation, total, totality; admixture, amalgam, amalgamation, blend, combination, intermixture, mix, mixture Antonyms whole

2 elements pl  general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based the elements of mathematics can be traced back to Euclid Synonyms ABC(s), alphabet, basics, elements, essentials, fundamentals, grammar, rudimentsRelated Words basis, bedrock, cornerstone, foundation, groundwork, keystone, underpinning; nitty-gritty; belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, faith, philosophy; axiom, law, precept, tenet; rule, standard; theoremNear Antonyms details, trivia

3 a region of activity, knowledge, or influence she felt a bit out of her element in the mathematics section of the exam Synonyms area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, field, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walkRelated Words frontier; study, subject; territory, turf; occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation; ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width; subfield, subspecialty