el·e·men·tal
ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
b(1)
: of, relating to, or being the basic or essential constituent of something : fundamental
elemental biological needs
(2)
: simple, uncomplicated
elemental food
c
: of, relating to, or dealing with the rudiments of something : elementary
taught elemental crafts to the children
d
: forming an integral part : inherent
an elemental sense of rhythm
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a great force of nature
the rains come with elemental violence
elemental passions
plural elementals
1
: a supernatural being : spirit
"It's a heritage. My mother was a witch and her mother was a witch. My specialty is (prophetic) dreaming. We believe elementals do exist," said Lady L …—
D. L. Stephenson
D. L. Stephenson2
: an elementary part or principle
—usually plural
All objects consist of smaller objects. … Lamps, bicycles, and houses are compound objects made of constituent parts, or elementals.—Alan L. Laity
Alan L. LaityThese two epistemologies exist in distinct dimensions: science struggles to discover the elementals of our material existence through empiricism, and theology strives to describe the universality of our … existence through faith.—Jack Hitt
Jack HittExamples of elemental in a Sentence
Adjective
an elemental difference between the two
Their elemental passion led to tragedy.
the elemental power of the storm
an elemental analysis of the solution
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
As much as possible, the most elemental steps are to be surfaced, and then they can each be separately resolved.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Travelers who once sought indulgence through opulence are now drawn to something far more elemental: clean air, unspoiled forests, and the profound stillness of land untouched by industrial sprawl.
—Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
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Adjective
The song’s tender emotional resonance speaks to the feeling of loss on a nearly elemental level.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
As much as possible, the most elemental steps are to be surfaced, and then they can each be separately resolved.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
For example, a 414 mg magnesium supplement may contain only 250 mg of elemental magnesium.22 L-threonate comprises most of the magnesium L-threonate compound.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Travelers who once sought indulgence through opulence are now drawn to something far more elemental: clean air, unspoiled forests, and the profound stillness of land untouched by industrial sprawl.
—Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: of, relating to, or being an element
especially
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
2
: of, relating to, or resembling a force of nature
Medical Definition
elemental
adjective
el·e·men·tal
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ᵊl
: of, relating to, or being an element
specifically
: existing as an uncombined chemical element
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