element
VIDEO FOR ELEMENT
How Does The Word "Element" Have 15 Definitions?
The word element actually has 15 definitions, it has meanings beyond science.
Origin of element
synonym study for element
OTHER WORDS FROM element
in·ter·el·e·ment, adjective, nounsub·el·e·ment, nounWords nearby element
MORE ABOUT ELEMENT
What is a basic definition of element?
An element is a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances through chemistry. An element is also an important component of something or a natural habitat. Element has many other senses as a noun.
In chemistry, an element is something that cannot be broken down any further. If you have taken a chemistry class, you’ve likely seen the periodic table, which displays all the known chemical elements. The study and measuring of elements is one of the central focuses of the scientific field of chemistry. For example, water (H2O) is made of the elements hydrogen and oxygen. We can split water into hydrogen and oxygen, but we cannot use chemistry to split oxygen or hydrogen into anything else.
- Real-life examples: The substances we know as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, and gold are examples of elements.
- Used in a sentence: Ammonia is made of the elements nitrogen and hydrogen.
Outside of science, an element is a main component or ingredient of something, as bricks would be for a brick wall, for example. The words elemental and elementary are sometimes used in a similar sense to describe things that are the simplest principles or basic components of something.
- Real-life examples: Peanut butter, jelly, and bread are the elements of a PB&J sandwich. Cement and water are elements of concrete. Tires, brakes, and an engine are elements of a functioning vehicle.
- Used in a sentence: Love and trust are elements of a strong relationship.
An element can also be a place where someone or something feels comfortable or naturally wants to be. In terms of people, we say a person is “in their element” when they are doing something they are really good at or in a situation that they really enjoy.
- Real-life examples: A kitchen is the element of a professional chef. A surfer is in their element at a beach with a lot of big waves. The rainforest is the element of jaguars.
- Used in a sentence: The supermodel was in his element while posing for pictures during the movie premiere.
Where does element come from?
The first records of element come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Latin elementum, meaning “one of the four elements” or “rudiment.”
In early history, it was thought that all of creation was made of four basic things: earth, air, fire, and water. The word elementum referred to these substances.
Today, we know that creation is actually more complicated, but we sometimes still use the word element to refer to these substances, particularly in fantasy stories and other works of fiction.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to element?
- interelement (adjective, noun)
- subelement (noun)
What are some synonyms for element?
What are some words that share a root or word element with element?
What are some words that often get used in discussing element?
How is element used in real life?
Element is a word often used in reference to chemistry or a main component of something.
Correction: Contrary to popular belief, sleeping on your periodic table will NOT help you memorize the elements.
— taylsiee (@taylsie) October 6, 2011
The Southern Gas Corridor project is one of the main elements of the energy strategy that contributes to the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy.
— Ilham Aliyev (@presidentaz) February 16, 2018
Hugh Jackman is best known for the X-Men movies, but he was really in his element in Les Miserables
— tracy (@TracyAdobea) June 29, 2020
Try using element!
True or False?
In chemistry, an element is a substance that cannot be further separated into simpler parts.
How to use element in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for element
Word Origin for element
Scientific definitions for element
Word History
When Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev devised the Periodic Table in 1869, there were 63 known elements, which he classified by atomic weight, and arranged a table listing them with vertical rows corresponding to shared chemical characteristics. Gaps in the table suggested the possibility of elements not yet discovered, and indeed elements were later discovered, or in some cases, artificially created, that filled the gaps and had the expected chemical properties. The striking correlation between the atomic weight of an element and its chemical properties was later explained by quantum mechanical theories of the atom. The weight of an atom of any given element depends on the number of protons (and neutrons) in its nucleus, but the number of protons also determines the number and arrangement of electrons that can orbit the nucleus, and it is these outer shells of electrons that largely determine the element's chemical properties.
Cultural definitions for element
In chemistry, any material (such as carbon, hydrogen, iron, or oxygen) that cannot be broken down into more fundamental substances. Each chemical element has a specific type of atom, and chemical compounds are created when atoms of different elements are bound together into molecules. There are 119 chemical elements whose discovery has been claimed; 92 occur in nature, and the rest have been produced in laboratories.
Other Idioms and Phrases with element
see brave the elements; in one's element.