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
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
Under the proposal, the district would change the start and end times for elementary, middle and high school, add 15 minutes to the elementary day, increase math instruction time at the middle school level and change to a block schedule with longer class periods for middle and high school students.
—
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
What's happening: Sixth grade will be reconfigured into the elementary buildings, while middle schools will focus on seventh and eighth grades.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
According to the department, its elementary and secondary programs serve more than 50 million students in about 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2025
According to the district, individual student results are shared with elementary parents prior to parent-teacher conferences, fostering collaboration to support student growth and success.
—Jacqueline Devine, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elementary
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Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025
What's happening: Sixth grade will be reconfigured into the elementary buildings, while middle schools will focus on seventh and eighth grades.
—Linh Ta, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025
According to the department, its elementary and secondary programs serve more than 50 million students in about 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools.
—Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2025
According to the district, individual student results are shared with elementary parents prior to parent-teacher conferences, fostering collaboration to support student growth and success.
—Jacqueline Devine, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elementary
Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elementary. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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