mineral

¹

[min-er-uhl, min-ruhl]

noun

1. any of a class of substances occurring in nature, usually comprising inorganic substances, as quartz or feldspar, of definite chemical composition and usually of definite crystal structure, but sometimes also including rocks formed by these substances as well as certain natural products of organic origin, as asphalt or coal.

2. a substance obtained by mining, as ore.

3. (loosely) any substance that is neither animal nor vegetable.

4. British.,  minerals, mineral water.

5. Nutrition.,  any of the inorganic elements, as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, or sodium, that are essential to the functioning of the human body and are obtained from foods.

adjective

1. of the nature of a mineral; pertaining to a mineral or minerals.

2. containing or impregnated with a mineral or minerals.

3. neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic.

   mineral matter.

mineral.

²

abbreviation

1. mineralogical.

2. mineralogy.

mineral.

¹

abbreviation

1. mineralogy or mineralogical

mineral

²

/ ˈmɪnərəl, ˈmɪnrəl /

noun

1. any of a class of naturally occurring solid inorganic substances with a characteristic crystalline form and a homogeneous chemical composition

2. any inorganic matter

3. any substance obtained by mining, esp a metal ore

4. (often plural) short for mineral water

5. Usual US word: soda. a soft drink containing carbonated water and flavourings

adjective

1. of, relating to, containing, or resembling minerals

mineral

1. A naturally occurring, solid, inorganic element or compound having a uniform composition and a regularly repeating internal structure. Minerals typically have a characteristic hardness and color, or range of colors, by which they can be recognized. Rocks are made up of minerals.

2. A natural substance of commercial value, such as iron ore, coal, or petroleum, that is obtained by mining, quarrying, or drilling.

mineral

1. In geology, a naturally occurring inorganic substance (see inorganic molecules) with a definite chemical composition and a regular internal structure.

Rocks are aggregates of minerals.

Most minerals are crystals, like salt and diamonds.

Other Word Forms

• nonmineral noun
• semimineral adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mineral¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, Old French mineral, from Medieval Latin minerāle (noun), minerālis (adjective), from miner(a) “mine, ore,” (from Vulgar Latin mināria (unrecorded); equivalent to mine ² + -ary ) + -āle, -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mineral¹

C15: from Medieval Latin minerāle (n), from minerālis (adj); related to minera mine, ore, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The eastern part of DR Congo is replete with vast deposits of key minerals, including gold and coltan.

Read more on Barron's

The nations also reached agreements on US soybean exports, the supply of rare earth minerals, and the materials used in production of the drug fentanyl.

Read more on BBC

These range from port expansion to energy production and the infrastructure needed to boost extraction of critical minerals from remote areas.

Read more on Barron's

With the two sides bogged down in horse-trading on tariffs and critical minerals, structural matters have been entirely set aside, Cutler added.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Increased competition in U.S. vitamins, minerals and supplements led to lower pricing, the analysts write.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• earth 
• gravel 
• lava 
• metal 
• rubble 
• slab