elementary
adjective
el·e·men·ta·ry
ˌe-lə-ˈmen-tə-rē 
-ˈmen-trē
1
a
: of, relating to, or dealing with the simplest elements or principles of something
b
: of or relating to an elementary school
Examples of elementary in a Sentence
He is lacking even the most elementary notions of fairness.
The researchers made an elementary error.
He has an elementary understanding of calculus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tutoring elementary students is one of the best opportunities to build meaningful community relations, program officials say.
—
Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
One-fourth of the students who could not do elementary and middle school math had perfect grades in high school math.
—David Blobaum, Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026
Sometimes diamonds undergo an elementary reaction during the crystallization process which produces a fluorescent glow under the UV.
—Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Housed in a decommissioned subway station in downtown Brooklyn, the museum was packed with elementary-school children on a field trip.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 31 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Elementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elementary. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
elementary
adjective
el·e·men·ta·ry
ˌel-ə-ˈment-ə-rē
-ˈmen-trē
1
: of or relating to the simplest principles of a subject
2
: of, relating to, or teaching the basic subjects of education
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