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

The continent’s economy is dependent on international trade, in part because it has few natural resources of its own.

From The Wall Street Journal

About a third of that index consists of natural resources companies, including energy and commodities like uranium, copper, and gold.

From Barron's

"Zimbabwe must learn from countries like Norway, Botswana and Kuwait, which safeguard their natural resources through firm, consistent and strategic policy frameworks," he said.

From Barron's

And "we underscore the importance of developing energy-efficient AI systems" given the technology's growing demands on natural resources, it said.

From Barron's

These fall into major categories so that some critical minerals, metals, energy products, natural resources, food crops, pharmaceuticals, electronics, cars and trucks, and aerospace products will be exempted.

From BBC

Related Words

• raw material
• timber
• water