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
Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025
For example, the ratio of iron to magnesium in the sun resembles that of Earth and Mars, leading scientists to believe that some elemental ratios in stars reflect that of their planets.
—Elizabeth Landau, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025
Hera: the Queen of the Olympians now has Boons of all four elemental affinities, not solely Earth.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elemental
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Adjective
Calcium gluconate and calcium lactate are also available compounds but provide less elemental calcium.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025
For example, the ratio of iron to magnesium in the sun resembles that of Earth and Mars, leading scientists to believe that some elemental ratios in stars reflect that of their planets.
—Elizabeth Landau, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
For calcium, the elemental calcium dose should be listed.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025
Hera: the Queen of the Olympians now has Boons of all four elemental affinities, not solely Earth.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 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 10 Apr. 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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