minerals

Cultural  

1. In the diet, certain substances necessary for the maintenance of life and good health. Some are essential components of bodily substances, such as the calcium in bones and the iron in hemoglobin, whereas others help regulate the activities of metabolism. (See under “Earth Sciences.”)

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Example Sentences

The Financial Times’ Gideon Rachman has pointed out that China still has a monopoly on rare earth minerals, which they used to great advantage during the recent tariff war.

From Salon • May 14, 2026

Last year, it flexed its economic and diplomatic muscle, responding to Trump with tit-for-tat tariffs and restricting the export of rare earth minerals essential for advanced manufacturing.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Compounding the problem is the country’s dependence on foreign oil and gas, food and minerals.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Mr. Xi has studied the President and thinks he has trump cards on minerals and pharmaceuticals.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

The raw substances available to ancient peoples were natural materials such as stone, wood, bone, skins, fiber, clay, sand, limestone, and minerals, all existing in great variety.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond