element

[ el-uh-muhnt ]

noun

1. 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.

2. Chemistry. one of a class of substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical means.
3. a natural habitat, sphere of activity, environment, etc.:

   to be in one's element;

   Water is the element of fish.

4. elements,
   1. atmospheric agencies or forces; weather:

      a ruddy complexion from exposure to the elements.

   2. the rudimentary principles of an art, science, etc.:

      the elements of grammar.

   3. the bread and wine of the Eucharistic service.
5. 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.

6. one of the substances, usually earth, water, air, and fire, formerly regarded as constituting the material universe.
7. Mathematics.
   1. an infinitesimal part of a given quantity, similar in nature to it.
   2. an entity that satisfies all the conditions of belonging to a given set.
8. Geometry. one of the points, lines, planes, or other geometrical forms, of which a figure is composed.
9. 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.
10. Electricity. an electric device with terminals for connection to other electrical devices.
11. Radio. one of the electrodes in a vacuum tube.
12. Astrology. any of the four triplicity groupings of signs: fire, earth, air, or water.
13. Optics. any of the lenses or other components constituting an optical system.
14. Grammar. any word, part of a word, or group of words that recurs in various contexts in a language with relatively constant meaning.
15. Digital Technology. the start and end tags in an electronic document or web page, along with the text or other content between these tags. tag ¹( def 9b ).

element

/ ˈɛlɪmənt /

noun

1. any of the 118 known substances (of which 93 occur naturally) that consist of atoms with the same number of protons in their nuclei Compare compound 1
2. one of the fundamental or irreducible components making up a whole
3. a cause that contributes to a result; factor
4. any group that is part of a larger unit, such as a military formation
5. a small amount; hint

   an element of sarcasm in her voice

6. a distinguishable section of a social group

   he belonged to the stable element in the expedition

7. the most favourable environment for an animal or plant
8. the situation in which a person is happiest or most effective (esp in the phrases in or out of one's element )
9. the resistance wire and its former, which constitute the electrical heater in a cooker, heater, etc
10. electronics another name for component
11. one of the four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the universe (earth, air, water, or fire)
12. plural atmospheric conditions or forces, esp wind, rain, and cold

    exposed to the elements

13. plural the first principles of a subject
14. geometry a point, line, plane, or part of a geometric figure
15. maths
    1. any of the terms in a determinant or matrix
    2. one of the infinitesimally small quantities summed by an integral, often represented by the expression following the integral sign

       in ʃbaf(x)dx, f(x)dx is an element of area

16. maths logic one of the objects or numbers that together constitute a set
17. Christianity the bread or wine consecrated in the Eucharist
18. astronomy any of the numerical quantities, such as the major axis or eccentricity, used in describing the orbit of a planet, satellite, etc
19. one of the vertical or horizontal rods forming a television or VHF radio receiving aerial
20. physics a component of a compound lens

element

/ ĕl′ə-mənt /

1. 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.
2. See Periodic Table
3. Mathematics.
   A member of a set.

element

1. 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 Words From

• inter·ele·ment adjective noun
• sub·ele·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of element¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of element¹

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

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.

Idioms and Phrases

see brave the elements ; in one's element .

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

It has been almost 20 years since hunting foxes with dogs was banned, but Mr John says he still finds himself in a "fight for survival" to keep elements of the sport he loves alive.

From BBC

Richard Baker KC, representing some of the babies’ families asked the consultant: “You had a sense that there might be some deals going on behind the scenes, some element perhaps of corrupt behaviour?”

From BBC

It went really well, it sold out in a day, and then it became a challenge of, let’s do more of these but let’s really play with the elements of it.

From Los Angeles Times

That essential element of his identity is presented as merely neutral fact, rather than the alienating circumstance it no doubt was.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the most distinct elements of traditional Molly dancing is the use of cross-dressing, according to the English Folk Dance and Song Society.

From BBC

Related Words

• aspect
• bit
• component
• detail
• factor
• fundamental
• ingredient
• item
• material
• matter
• member
• part
• piece
• principle
• view

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?

• component
• ingredient
• principle
• domain
• environment

What are some words that share a root or word element with element? 

• elemental
• elementary

What are some words that often get used in discussing element?

• chemistry
• noble gas
• halogens
• alkali metals
• natural
• habitat

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.