element
n.-
1 a basic part (n.) B1 Intermediate Academicone of the basic or important parts of a larger system or idea.
a fundamental or essential constituent of a complex whole.
ExampleTrust is a key element in any successful friendship.
ExampleThe architect argued that natural light was the most critical element of the building's design, influencing every other structural decision.
UsageOften used with the preposition 'of'.
-
2 chemistry (n.) B1 Intermediate Technical Sciencea substance that is made of only one type of atom, like gold or oxygen.
any of the more than 100 fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and cannot be broken down by chemical means.
ExampleIron is a common element used to make steel for buildings.
ExampleThe periodic table organises every known element according to its atomic number and electron configuration.
Show 6 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 a small amount (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea small but noticeable amount of a quality or feeling.
a trace or slight amount of a specific quality, often an abstract one.
ExampleThere was an element of truth in what he said, even if he was exaggerating.
ExampleThe detective noted an element of suspicion in the witness's voice, though her formal statement remained consistent with the evidence.
-
4 the weather (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe weather, especially when it is bad like heavy rain or strong wind.
the forces of nature, specifically adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain, or cold.
ExampleThe hikers were exposed to the elements for three days before being found.
ExampleThe coastal lighthouse was built to withstand the constant battering of the elements during the winter storm season.
UsageAlmost always used in the plural form 'the elements'.
-
5 natural environment (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe place or situation where you feel most natural and happy.
the environment or sphere of activity in which a person or animal is most comfortable or effective.
ExampleShe is in her element when she is teaching a large group of students.
ExampleThe professor was clearly in his element while debating complex legal theories with his colleagues at the conference.
UsageCommonly used in the idiom 'in one's element'.
-
6 a group of people (n.) C1 Advanced Formala specific group of people within a larger society, often used to describe people who cause trouble.
a distinct group of people within a larger population, often identified by a shared characteristic or social status.
ExampleThe police were worried about criminal elements moving into the neighbourhood.
ExampleThe government faced opposition from radical elements within the coalition who refused to support the new tax policy.
-
7 heating part (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Sciencethe metal part in a machine like a kettle that gets hot when you turn it on.
a component in an electrical appliance that converts electrical energy into heat through resistance.
ExampleThe kettle stopped working because the heating element had burnt out.
ExampleThe technician replaced the faulty element in the industrial oven to ensure the temperature remained stable during the baking process.
-
8 computing/markup (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Computinga single part of a digital document, like a paragraph or a heading in a website.
a logical component of a document in a markup language, typically consisting of a start tag, content, and an end tag.
ExampleYou need to close the paragraph element with a backslash in the code.
ExampleThe developer used a custom CSS class to style the header element across all pages of the application.
From Middle English element, from Old French element, from Latin elementum (“a first principle, element, rudiment”) (see further etymology there). The verb is from Middle English elementen, from the noun.