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 HittSynonyms
Examples 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
Laura Schober, Health, 20 Nov. 2024
This might be his most intimate and elemental performance, his primary scene partner being a volleyball, and Hanks finds a raw, slightly terrifying urgency within his good-guy persona that suggests that even the best of us have a breaking point.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Jamila Robinson, Bon Appétit, 5 Nov. 2024
This is the genius of Melville, of course, conveyed in glances and gestures: to turn the most elemental of impulses into the stuff of high drama.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elemental 
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Adjective
Mercury toxicity can result from organic, inorganic, or elemental mercury exposure.
—Laura Schober, Health, 20 Nov. 2024
This might be his most intimate and elemental performance, his primary scene partner being a volleyball, and Hanks finds a raw, slightly terrifying urgency within his good-guy persona that suggests that even the best of us have a breaking point.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
But Thanksgiving, at its most elemental, is entertaining.
—Jamila Robinson, Bon Appétit, 5 Nov. 2024
This is the genius of Melville, of course, conveyed in glances and gestures: to turn the most elemental of impulses into the stuff of high drama.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for elemental
Articles Related to elemental
Dictionary Entries Near elemental
Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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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