1 [count] chemistry : one of the basic substances that are made of atoms of only one kind and that cannot be separated by ordinary chemical means into simpler substances
▪ chemical elements ▪ Water is composed of the elements hydrogen and oxygen. 2 [count] : a particular part of something (such as a situation or activity)
▪ Self-confidence was a key/vital element [=factor] in her success. ▪ There's always an element of risk [=there's always some risk] in starting a new business. ▪ There's a large element of truth [=there's a great deal of truth] in what she says. ▪ The attackers were relying on the element of surprise. [=they were relying on their attack being a surprise] 3 [count] : a part of an electrical device that produces heat
▪ the (heating) element of an electric iron 4 elements [plural] : the most basic parts of a subject of study
▪ the elements [=rudiments] of grammar 5 [count] : a group of people that form part of a larger group
▪ the different elements of society ▪ the criminal element 6 elements [plural] : the weather and especially stormy or cold weather
▪ The deck's bare wood was exposed to the elements. ▪ The climbers battled/braved the elements to reach the summit. 7 [singular] : the state or place that is normal or suited to a person or thing
▪ At school she was (really) in her element. [=in a place where she was comortable and did well] ▪ I tried living in the city, but I was/felt out of my element there. [=living in the city did not suit me] 8 [count] : one of the four substances (air, water, fire, and earth) that were believed in the past to make up every physical thing in the universe