element
element
/ˈelɪmənt/
part/amount
1 countable a necessary or typical part of something; one of several parts that something contains There are three important elements to consider.
an essential/a crucial/a critical element
element in something Cost was a key element in our decision.
element of something The story has all the elements of a soap opera.
element from something The architects were instructed to incorporate elements from the older building.
element to something There is often a futuristic element to her writing.
This concept combines elements of a theme park with digital interactive games.
He introduced new elements to the show such as live music.
Customer relations is an important element of the job.
the narrative and decorative elements in Pop art
Practical work will form a major element of the syllabus.
The promise of tax cuts became the dominant element in the campaign.
This constitutes one of the key elements in their reform package.
the disparate elements brought together in these paintings
User participation is a basic element in our design process.
The most striking design element of the atrium is the circular stair that turns 180 degrees between floors.
There is one significant element missing.
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
verb + element
preposition
element in
element of
We need to preserve the element of surprise.
These rumours do contain an element of truth.
All outdoor activities carry an element of risk.
Adding an element of fun for the kids entices them to eat foods that are actually good for them.
There appears to be an element of truth in his story.
There is a considerable element of danger in her job.
There may have been an element of jealousy in her response.
There is often an element of luck involved in doing exams.
an offbeat theatrical production that combines elements of fantasy and satire
chemistry
3 (also chemical element) countable a simple chemical substance that consists of atoms of only one type and cannot be split by chemical means into a simpler substance. Gold, oxygen and carbon are all elements. All chemical substances, whether elements, compounds or mixtures, are made up of three types of particles.
the constituent elements of the universe
Different atoms of the same element are called isotopes.
earth/air/fire/water
4 countable one of the four substances: earth, air, fire and water, which people used to believe everything else was made of weather
5 the elements plural the weather, especially bad weather Are we going to brave the elements and go for a walk?
The place was completely exposed to the elements.
He told us stories of how he had battled the elements on his mountaineering trips.
I put on my thick coat ready to brave the elements.
Collocations
verb + the elements
battle against
phrases
protection from the elements
shelter from the elements
basic principles
6 elements plural the basic principles of a subject that you have to learn first He taught me the elements of map-reading.
group of people
moderate/radical elements within the party
unruly elements in the school
These ideas are not just the province of a fringe element in the party.
There is too much of a competitive element in the sales department.
environment
Water is a fish's natural element.
electrical part
9 countable the part of a piece of electrical equipment that gives out heat The water heater has electric heating elements submerged in a storage tank.
Idioms
Word Origin
Middle English (denoting fundamental constituents of the world or celestial objects): via Old French from Latin elementum ‘principle, rudiment’, translating Greek stoikheion ‘step, component part’.
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