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element

[ el-uh-muhnt ]

/ ˈɛl ə mənt /

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See synonyms for: element / elements on Thesaurus.com

noun

a component or constituent of a whole or one of the parts into which a whole may be resolved by analysis: Bricks and mortar are elements of every masonry wall.

Chemistry. one of a class of substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.

a natural habitat, sphere of activity, environment, etc.: to be in one's element;Water is the element of fish.

elements,

atmospheric agencies or forces; weather: a ruddy complexion from exposure to the elements.
the rudimentary principles of an art, science, etc.: the elements of grammar.
the bread and wine of the Eucharistic service.

any group of people singled out within a larger group by identifiable behavior patterns, common interests, ethnic similarities, etc.: He worried that the protest rally would attract the radical element.

one of the substances, usually earth, water, air, and fire, formerly regarded as constituting the material universe.

Mathematics.

an infinitesimal part of a given quantity, similar in nature to it.
an entity that satisfies all the conditions of belonging to a given set.

Geometry. one of the points, lines, planes, or other geometrical forms, of which a figure is composed.

Astronomy. any of the data required to define the precise nature of an orbit and to determine the position of a planet in the orbit at any given time.

Electricity. an electric device with terminals for connection to other electrical devices.

Radio. one of the electrodes in a vacuum tube.

Astrology. any of the four triplicity groupings of signs: fire, earth, air, or water.

Optics. any of the lenses or other components constituting an optical system.

Grammar. any word, part of a word, or group of words that recurs in various contexts in a language with relatively constant meaning.

Digital Technology. the start and end tags in an electronic document or web page, along with the text or other content between these tags.See also tag¹ (def. 9b).

VIDEO FOR ELEMENT

How Does The Word "Element" Have 15 Definitions?

The word element actually has 15 definitions, it has meanings beyond science.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of element

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin elementum “one of the four elements, letter of the alphabet, first principle, rudiment”

synonym study for element

1, 2. Element, component, constituent, ingredient refer to units that are parts of whole or complete substances, systems, compounds, or mixtures. Element denotes a fundamental, ultimate part: the basic elements of matter; resolve the problem into its elements. Component and constituent refer to a part that goes into the making of a complete system or compound. Component often refers to one of a number of parts: Lab work is an important component of the science course. Constituent suggests a necessary part of the whole: The constituents of a molecule of water are two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Ingredient is most frequently used in nonscientific contexts: the ingredients of a cake; the ingredients of a successful marriage.

OTHER WORDS FROM element

in·ter·el·e·ment, adjective, nounsub·el·e·ment, noun

Words nearby element

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, Eleia, elektra, Elektrostal, elem., element, element 113, element 114, element 115, element 116, element 117

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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

Also spending on other, and different, elements of the campaign.
Trump and his campaign try to allay concerns about trailing Biden in television ads|Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Only the Soviet Union has successfully landed on the Venusian surface—its Venera 13 lander functioned for 127 minutes before succumbing to the elements in 1982.
We need to go to Venus as soon as possible|Neel Patel|September 16, 2020|MIT Technology Review
It’s ubiquitous in the nation, so it’s easy to see how it could become a hugely disruptive element in the search landscape.
Are search engines dead in China?|Ada Luo|September 14, 2020|Search Engine Watch
To do this, the team analyzed isotopes — different forms of an element — of carbon and nitrogen in the diamonds, as well as isotopes of oxygen in the inclusions.
Earth’s rarest diamonds form from primordial carbon in the mantle|Carolyn Gramling|September 14, 2020|Science News

Here’s a comprehensive guide that looks into all the elements that you can capture to win your spot in Google’s top SERP real estate.
How to get your YouTube videos appear in Google’s video carousel|Ann Smarty|September 11, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Very bass-y house, if I was in my element and playing what I like to play.
Idris Elba on Eric Garner, ‘Mi Mandela,’ and Selling Weed to Dave Chappelle|Marlow Stern|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It may now be time for RSD to address the violent element within his own organization.
School Shooters Love This Pickup Artist Website|Brandy Zadrozny|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Anne Marie was in her element, jabbering away in heavily accented Liberian English, the center of attention.
The Life of a Liberian Child with Ebola|Sarah Crowe|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The public cheered Holmes when she broke away from Cruise with a similar element of challenge and ingenuity.
How Can Katie Holmes Escape Tom Cruise—and ‘Dawson’s Creek’?|Tim Teeman|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Regrow limbs, cure cancer, or rock a killer outfit à la Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element.
I Want My Damn Hoverboard! 12 Movie Inventions That Should Exist|Rich Goldstein|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And now there was added to this devotion an element of indefinable anxiety which made its vigilance unceasing.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
That he might lose his head and 'introduce an element of sex' was conscience confessing that it had been already introduced.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
This element of symbolic indication will be found to run through the whole of childish drawing.
Children's Ways|James Sully
At once dignified, solemn, and impressive, it combined every element of grandeur.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
His good sense showed him how large an element of injustice entered into these hostilities.
Bastien Lepage|Fr. Crastre

British Dictionary definitions for element

element

/ (ˈɛlɪmənt) /

noun

any of the 118 known substances (of which 93 occur naturally) that consist of atoms with the same number of protons in their nucleiCompare compound 1 (def. 1)

one of the fundamental or irreducible components making up a whole

a cause that contributes to a result; factor

any group that is part of a larger unit, such as a military formation

a small amount; hintan element of sarcasm in her voice

a distinguishable section of a social grouphe belonged to the stable element in the expedition

the most favourable environment for an animal or plant

the situation in which a person is happiest or most effective (esp in the phrases in or out of one's element)

the resistance wire and its former, which constitute the electrical heater in a cooker, heater, etc

electronics another name for component (def. 2)

one of the four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the universe (earth, air, water, or fire)

(plural) atmospheric conditions or forces, esp wind, rain, and coldexposed to the elements

(plural) the first principles of a subject

geometry a point, line, plane, or part of a geometric figure

maths

any of the terms in a determinant or matrix
one of the infinitesimally small quantities summed by an integral, often represented by the expression following the integral signin ʃ b a f( x) d x, f( x )d x is an element of area

maths logic one of the objects or numbers that together constitute a set

Christianity the bread or wine consecrated in the Eucharist

astronomy any of the numerical quantities, such as the major axis or eccentricity, used in describing the orbit of a planet, satellite, etc

one of the vertical or horizontal rods forming a television or VHF radio receiving aerial

physics a component of a compound lens

Word Origin for element

C13: from Latin elementum a first principle, alphabet, element, of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for element

element

[ ĕl′ə-mənt ]

A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. An element is composed of atoms that have the same atomic number, that is, each atom has the same number of protons in its nucleus as all other atoms of that element. Today 117 elements are known, of which 92 are known to occur in nature, while the remainder have only been made with particle accelerators. Eighty-one of the elements have isotopes that are stable. The others, including technetium, promethium, and those with atomic numbers higher than 83, are radioactive. See Periodic Table.

Mathematics A member of a set.

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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for element

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with element

element

see brave the elements; in one's element.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.