element
/ˈel.ɪ.mənt/- 1.
A basic part of something larger. It can also mean one member of a group of things with the same nature.
- Water is an important element of life.
- Trust is an element of good teamwork.
- Each element has its own role.
- 2.
In science, a substance made of only one type of atom. It cannot be broken down into simpler substances by normal chemical means.
- Gold is a chemical element.
- Oxygen is an element in the air.
- The table lists all known elements.
- 3.
One of the parts of a design, plan, or situation. It often suggests a smaller piece inside a bigger whole.
- Safety is a key element of the plan.
- The painting has a surprise element.
- We need the human element too.
Adinary Nuance
Use element when you mean a part that belongs to a larger whole. It is more general than component, which often suggests a piece of a machine or system. It is also more formal and abstract than part in academic writing. In science, element has a special meaning: a chemical substance with one kind of atom.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thành phần
- Spanish
- elemento
- Chinese
- 元素
- Japanese
- 要素
- Korean
- 요소
Etymology
From Latin elementum, meaning a basic part or first principle. It entered English in the late Middle Ages through Old French.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is element used in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in academic, scientific, and formal writing.
- What is the difference between element and part?
- Part is more general. Element often sounds more formal and can mean a basic or important part.
- Can element mean a chemical substance?
- Yes. In science, an element is a substance made of one type of atom.
- Is element a common everyday word?
- Yes, but it is used more often in formal, academic, and scientific contexts.