essential element

British  

noun

1. biochem any chemical element required by an organism for healthy growth. It may be required in large amounts (macronutrient) or in very small amounts (trace element) See also macronutrient trace element

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Example Sentences

Earlier this fall, a group of faith leaders including priests and nuns were detained after being refused admission inside to administer communion, an essential element of a Catholic’s faith life.

From Salon

Far from being the impediment to the Peace Process, Hamas was its one essential element.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of the arguments for retaining the right to abortion was that—as the Supreme Court held in its 1992 Casey decision—women’s ability to control their reproductive lives is an essential element of equality.

From Slate

It has aligned environmental activists and religious liberty proponents, and has major implications for the nation’s ability to meet its rapidly growing demand for copper, which is an essential element in telecommunications networks, electric vehicles and other growing technologies.

From Los Angeles Times

If we give up on the courts, we’re going to take away a really essential element of our ability to be Americans.

From Slate