natural resource

American  

noun

1. a naturally occurring source of wealth, as land or water.

2. natural resources, the natural wealth of a country, consisting of land, forests, mineral deposits, water, etc.

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natural resource Scientific  

1. Something, such as a forest, a mineral deposit, or fresh water, that is found in nature and is necessary or useful to humans.

2. See more at nonrenewable renewable

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Etymology

Origin of natural resource

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

It is not clear if Vance was referring to Greenland's natural resources - including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron - which are becoming easier to access as its ice melts because of climate change.

From BBC

Nations such as China, Russia and the United States are scrambling to secure a foothold in the Arctic for strategic reasons and to access huge reserves of natural resources.

From Barron's

"Direct contact with nature gave the friars legitimacy, special spiritual powers and access to valuable natural resources including timber, crops and wild animals," Dr. Ilko says.

From Science Daily

Balochistan is also the richest Pakistani province in terms of natural resources, including gas and minerals.

From BBC

Balochistan is Pakistan's poorest province, despite an abundance of untapped natural resources, and lags behind the rest of the country in education, employment and economic development.

From Barron's

Related Words

• raw material
• timber
• water