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

2

: elemental sense 1a

3

: elemental sense 2

elementarily

ˌe-lə-ˌmen-ˈter-ə-lē 

-ˈmen-trə-lē

adverb

elementariness

ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē-nəs 

-ˈmen-trē-

noun

Synonyms

• abecedarian
• basal
• basic
• beginning
• elemental
• essential
• fundamental
• introductory
• meat-and-potatoes
• rudimental
• rudimentary
• underlying

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

How often do elementary students bring guns to school and shoot someone? —Justin Jouvenal, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Recently, elementary students were outside during recess when the sight of billowing parachutes in the sky startled them. —Daniel Estrin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024

Half of states have passed laws or regulations in recent years that restrict or completely bar trans students from competing on the elementary, middle, high school and/or college sports teams that align with their gender identities. —Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024

Rivard has a master's in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and a bachelor's in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, according to the district's website. —Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024

Through the award-winning program, thousands of elementary and high school students collect data about the local watershed and the plants and animals in this yearlong field research course. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024

These children qualify by income and must be zoned for the nine available elementary campuses such as Eastern Hills, Morningside and T.A. Sims. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024

But elementary families and staff overwhelmingly supported a different proposal that would have those students starting earlier, at 8:20, and middle schoolers starting at 8:55. —Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

Of the more than 900 elementary students who were one or more grade levels behind in 2022, 54% have now achieved or surpassed grade level. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing elementary

• elementary charge
• elementary school
• elementary particle

Kids 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