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
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024
Whichever route is taken, the eventual goal should be plenty of motoring on a winding road with no particular destination in mind, other than enjoying one of the most pure and elemental sports cars ever made.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 22 July 2024
Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Not since another alien-invasion movie, Steven Spielberg’s elemental War of the Worlds, has a blockbuster so deliberately evoked the panic and horror of that day in the Financial District.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for elemental 
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Adjective
Rhythm for me is the elemental foundation of all filmmaking.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024
Whichever route is taken, the eventual goal should be plenty of motoring on a winding road with no particular destination in mind, other than enjoying one of the most pure and elemental sports cars ever made.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 22 July 2024
Noun
There were a couple of scenes in the show about MJ and Quincy working together and just understanding elemental pieces of the music, listening to African drums and just that sense of creativity and imagination.
—Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Not since another alien-invasion movie, Steven Spielberg’s elemental War of the Worlds, has a blockbuster so deliberately evoked the panic and horror of that day in the Financial District.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 28 June 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 24 Nov. 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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