# element /ˈɛɫəmənt/ (US) · /ˈɛlɪmənt/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/element Updated: 2026-07-22 ## Senses ### 1. a basic part noun · CEFR B1 · Academic one of the basic or important parts of a larger system or idea. For teachers: a fundamental or essential constituent of a complex whole. - Trust is a key element in any successful friendship. - The architect argued that natural light was the most critical element of the building's design, influencing every other structural decision. Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'. ### 2. chemistry noun · CEFR B1 · Technical a substance that is made of only one type of atom, like gold or oxygen. For teachers: any of the more than 100 fundamental substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and cannot be broken down by chemical means. - Iron is a common element used to make steel for buildings. - The periodic table organises every known element according to its atomic number and electron configuration. ### 3. a small amount noun · CEFR B2 a small but noticeable amount of a quality or feeling. For teachers: a trace or slight amount of a specific quality, often an abstract one. - There was an element of truth in what he said, even if he was exaggerating. - The detective noted an element of suspicion in the witness's voice, though her formal statement remained consistent with the evidence. ### 4. the weather noun · CEFR B2 the weather, especially when it is bad like heavy rain or strong wind. For teachers: the forces of nature, specifically adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain, or cold. - The hikers were exposed to the elements for three days before being found. - The coastal lighthouse was built to withstand the constant battering of the elements during the winter storm season. Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'the elements'. ### 5. natural environment noun · CEFR B2 the place or situation where you feel most natural and happy. For teachers: the environment or sphere of activity in which a person or animal is most comfortable or effective. - She is in her element when she is teaching a large group of students. - The professor was clearly in his element while debating complex legal theories with his colleagues at the conference. Usage: Commonly used in the idiom 'in one's element'. ### 6. a group of people noun · CEFR C1 · Formal a specific group of people within a larger society, often used to describe people who cause trouble. For teachers: a distinct group of people within a larger population, often identified by a shared characteristic or social status. - The police were worried about criminal elements moving into the neighbourhood. - The government faced opposition from radical elements within the coalition who refused to support the new tax policy. ### 7. heating part noun · CEFR B2 · Technical the metal part in a machine like a kettle that gets hot when you turn it on. For teachers: a component in an electrical appliance that converts electrical energy into heat through resistance. - The kettle stopped working because the heating element had burnt out. - The technician replaced the faulty element in the industrial oven to ensure the temperature remained stable during the baking process. ### 8. computing/markup noun · CEFR C1 · Technical a single part of a digital document, like a paragraph or a heading in a website. For teachers: a logical component of a document in a markup language, typically consisting of a start tag, content, and an end tag. - You need to close the paragraph element with a backslash in the code. - The developer used a custom CSS class to style the header element across all pages of the application. ## Examples - Trust is a key element of a good friendship. - The detective noticed a strange element in the witness's story that didn't match the evidence. - While the plot is engaging, the most compelling element of the novel is the author's ability to evoke the atmosphere of nineteenth-century London through sensory detail. --- From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.