elementary
adjective
el·e·men·ta·ry
ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē 
-ˈmen-trē
1
a
: of, relating to, or dealing with the simplest elements or principles of something
b
: of or relating to an elementary school
Synonyms
Examples of elementary in a Sentence
He is lacking even the most elementary notions of fairness.
The researchers made an elementary error.
He has an elementary understanding of calculus.
Recent Examples on the Web
What's happening: Sixth grade will be reconfigured into the elementary buildings, while middle schools will focus on seventh and eighth grades.
—
Linh Ta, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
According to the department, its elementary and secondary programs serve more than 50 million students in about 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2025
According to the district, individual student results are shared with elementary parents prior to parent-teacher conferences, fostering collaboration to support student growth and success.
—Jacqueline Devine, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Federal contributions for elementary and secondary education is around 8%, including money given to schools from other agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture for school lunch and Head Start programs, per the Education Department.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elementary 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Linh Ta, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
According to the department, its elementary and secondary programs serve more than 50 million students in about 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2025
According to the district, individual student results are shared with elementary parents prior to parent-teacher conferences, fostering collaboration to support student growth and success.
—Jacqueline Devine, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Federal contributions for elementary and secondary education is around 8%, including money given to schools from other agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture for school lunch and Head Start programs, per the Education Department.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elementary
Dictionary Entries Near elementary
Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elementary. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
elementary
adjective
el·e·men·ta·ry
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ə-rē
-ˈmen-trē
1
: of or relating to the simplest principles of a subject
2
: of, relating to, or teaching the basic subjects of education
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share