element
noun
el·e·ment
ˈe-lə-mənt 
1
a
: any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
b
elements plural
: weather conditions
especially
: violent or severe weather
battling the elements
c
: the state or sphere natural or suited to a person or thing
at school she was in her element
2
: a constituent part: such as
a
b(1)
: a part of a geometric magnitude
an infinitesimal element of volume
(2)
: a generator of a geometric figure
also
: a line or line segment contained in the surface of a cone or cylinder
(3)
: a basic member of a mathematical or logical class or set
(4)
: one of the individual entries in a mathematical matrix or determinant
c
: a distinct group within a larger group or community
the criminal element in the city
d(1)
: one of the necessary data or values on which calculations or conclusions are based
(2)
: one of the factors determining the outcome of a process
e
: any of the fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
f
: a distinct part of a composite device
g
: a subdivision of a military unit
3
elements plural
: the bread and wine used in the Eucharist
Synonyms
Examples of element in a Sentence
Water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen.
a free press is an essential element of a democracy
Recent Examples on the Web
But as the first True Detective season not to tell its story over eight episodes, Night Country comes off as needlessly truncated in key areas, lacking the opportunity to truly inhabit its most distinctive elements.
—
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Jan. 2024
But the elements of cool are tempered by the warm and cuddly floor-level seating arrangements for 12 canine patrons and their escorts — with fluffy oval mats lying next to marble tables, fancy ceramic bowls and high-end Panna water bottles on the side.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 31 Dec. 2023
Interactive Raw Bars In addition to beautiful displays of shrimp, crab, caviar and all the accompanying sauces, many hosts will be adding an interactive element to their raw bar with a chef on-site to shuck oysters and provide a lesson in seafood.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2023
These tights’ tough two-way stretch fabric shields you from the elements with a durable water-repellent finish and a UPF 50+ rating for excellent rain and sun protection.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2023
Much of the movie’s excellence stems from elements already evident in the TV series.
—Jack Butler, National Review, 30 Dec. 2023
In recent years, this tradition has taken on a new twist with the social-media trend of the Saran Wrapped ball containing gift cards and dollar bills, adding an element of fun.
—WSJ, 26 Dec. 2023
While tools using a single element like flaked stone or a wooden stick are fairly common and relatively simple to construct, making complex, multi-part tools, like arrowheads hafted onto spears, is much more cognitively demanding and occurs more recently in our evolutionary history.
—Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023
Anything that adds a low-value digital element to something where a mechanical function can do the job is adding a huge environmental cost for minimal benefit, adding points of failure and loads of extra expense down the line.
—Brian Merchant, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2023
See More
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Jan. 2024
But the elements of cool are tempered by the warm and cuddly floor-level seating arrangements for 12 canine patrons and their escorts — with fluffy oval mats lying next to marble tables, fancy ceramic bowls and high-end Panna water bottles on the side.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 31 Dec. 2023
Interactive Raw Bars In addition to beautiful displays of shrimp, crab, caviar and all the accompanying sauces, many hosts will be adding an interactive element to their raw bar with a chef on-site to shuck oysters and provide a lesson in seafood.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Dec. 2023
These tights’ tough two-way stretch fabric shields you from the elements with a durable water-repellent finish and a UPF 50+ rating for excellent rain and sun protection.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2023
Much of the movie’s excellence stems from elements already evident in the TV series.
—Jack Butler, National Review, 30 Dec. 2023
In recent years, this tradition has taken on a new twist with the social-media trend of the Saran Wrapped ball containing gift cards and dollar bills, adding an element of fun.
—WSJ, 26 Dec. 2023
While tools using a single element like flaked stone or a wooden stick are fairly common and relatively simple to construct, making complex, multi-part tools, like arrowheads hafted onto spears, is much more cognitively demanding and occurs more recently in our evolutionary history.
—Ryan McRae, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2023
Anything that adds a low-value digital element to something where a mechanical function can do the job is adding a huge environmental cost for minimal benefit, adding points of failure and loads of extra expense down the line.
—Brian Merchant, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'element.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin elementum
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of element was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing element
Dictionary Entries Near element
Cite this Entry
“Element.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/element. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
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Kids Definition
element
noun
el·e·ment
ˈel-ə-mənt
1
a
: one of the four substances air, water, fire, or earth formerly believed to make up the physical universe
b
plural
: forces of nature
especially
: stormy or cold weather
c
: the state or place natural or suited to a person or thing
at school she was in her element
2
: one of the parts of which something is made up: as
a
plural
: the simplest principles of a subject of study
b
: one of the basic individual things that belong to a mathematical set or class
called also member
c
: any of more than 100 fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that cannot be separated by ordinary chemical means into simpler substances
d
: a distinct part of a device used in the composing of print matter
3
plural
: the bread and wine used in the sacrament of Communion
Medical Definition
element
noun
el·e·ment
ˈel-ə-mənt
1
: any of the four substances air, water, fire, and earth formerly believed to compose the physical universe
2
: a constituent part: as
a
: any of more than 100 fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
b
: one of the distinct parts (as a lens) of a composite device (as a microscope)
c
: one of the basic constituent units (as a cell or fiber) of a tissue
Legal Definition
element
noun
el·e·ment
: one of the constituent parts (as a particular act, a mental state, or an attendant circumstance) of a crime as defined by statute that the prosecution must prove to win a conviction
More from Merriam-Webster on element
Nglish: Translation of element for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of element for Arabic Speakers
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