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
David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Influences have a way of appearing, like family traits, in idiosyncratic details such as the turn of a head or position of a hand, but here the steps and styles have been stripped of attitude and etiquette, to their elemental forms.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Everything looks simple and elemental, a prettified version of the traditional villages that have dotted these hills for generations.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for elemental 
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Adjective
However, nowadays, most elemental magnesium is obtained by electrolysis of magnesium chloride, which can be obtained in virtually unlimited quantities from salt water.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Influences have a way of appearing, like family traits, in idiosyncratic details such as the turn of a head or position of a hand, but here the steps and styles have been stripped of attitude and etiquette, to their elemental forms.
—Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
Nonetheless, the film’s visual sensibility was guided by elemental factors inherent to the scenes, which so often pivot around movement and physical contact.
—Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Everything looks simple and elemental, a prettified version of the traditional villages that have dotted these hills for generations.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
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 18 Jan. 2025.
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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