inorganic

adjective

in·​or·​gan·​ic ˌin-(ˌ)ȯr-ˈga-nik 

1

a(1)

: being or composed of matter other than plant or animal : mineral

(2)

: forming or belonging to the inanimate world

b

: of, relating to, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with substances not usually classed as organic

2

: not arising from natural growth : artificial

also : lacking structure, character, or vitality

dull inorganic things, without individuality or prestige

—John Buchan

inorganically

ˌin-(ˌ)ȯr-ˈga-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of inorganic in a Sentence

producing energy from inorganic materials

Recent Examples on the Web

Before Kraftwerk, rock prized the idea of soul above all else; Autobahn was proudly inorganic music that nonetheless dealt with deeply human issues, reflecting technology’s capacity to simultaneously liberate and alienate. —Spin Staff, SPIN, 5 Dec. 2024

These bacteria need inorganic metabolites like carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur for their own metabolic reactions to survive. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

For instance, inorganic mercury can be corrosive to the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and eyes, potentially leading to kidney toxicity if ingested.4 How soon do symptoms of mercury poisoning appear? —Laura Schober, Health, 20 Nov. 2024

Decomposition Depends on Placement in Space For inorganic objects like a piece of metal, for example, the process of decomposition would take much longer in space. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing inorganic

• inorganic chemistry

Kids Definition

inorganic

adjective

in·​or·​gan·​ic ˌin-ˌȯr-ˈgan-ik 

1

: being or composed of matter that does not come from plants or animals either alive or dead : mineral

2

: of or relating to a branch of chemistry concerned with substances that contain little or no carbon

inorganically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

inorganic

adjective

in·​or·​gan·​ic ˌin-ˌȯr-ˈgan-ik 

1

a

: being or composed of matter other than plant or animal

an inorganic heart

b

: forming or belonging to the inanimate world

2

: of, relating to, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with substances not usually classified as organic

inorganically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb