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 WebJulia Teti, WWD, 14 June 2024
Alone on the school plaza, they are invited to become part of a global community linked by elemental forces and universal feelings.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024
But the assumption plate tectonics magically begins does show that even the proper elemental cocktail does not guarantee a shifting and rumbling surface.
—Shannon Hall, Scientific American, 20 July 2017
See all Example Sentences for elemental 
Adjective
Roku Gin has a unique taste and elemental makeup that harkens back to its origins in Japan.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 14 June 2024
Alone on the school plaza, they are invited to become part of a global community linked by elemental forces and universal feelings.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Noun
Certain elemental associations, most notably Arsenic, Bismuth, and Tungsten, are proving to be important pathfinders for the gold mineralization.
—Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024
But the assumption plate tectonics magically begins does show that even the proper elemental cocktail does not guarantee a shifting and rumbling surface.
—Shannon Hall, Scientific American, 20 July 2017
See all Example Sentences for elemental
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elemental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Elemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elemental. Accessed 30 Jun. 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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