element
♦♦ el|ement /'elɪmənt/ (elements)
1 [N-COUNT] usu pl, usu with supp
The different elements of something are the different parts it contains.
The exchange of prisoners of war was one of the key elements of the UN's peace plan.
= constituent, component
2 [N-COUNT] with supp
A particular element of a situation, activity, or process is an important quality or feature that it has or needs.
Fitness has now become an important element in our lives.
= factor
3 [N-COUNT] usu pl, supp N
When you talk about elements within a society or organization, you are referring to groups of people who have similar aims, beliefs, or habits.
...criminal elements within the security forces.
...the hooligan element.
4 [N-COUNT] usu sing, N of n
If something has an element of a particular quality or emotion, it has a certain amount of this quality or emotion.
These reports clearly contain elements of propaganda.
5 [N-COUNT]
An element is a substance such as gold, oxygen, or carbon that consists of only one type of atom.
≠ compound
6 [N-COUNT] usu sing
The element in an electric fire or water heater is the metal part which changes the electric current into heat.
7 [N-PLURAL] the N
You can refer to the weather, especially wind and rain, as the elements.
The area where most refugees are waiting is exposed to the elements.
8 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that someone is in their element, you mean that they are in a situation they enjoy.
My stepmother was in her element, organizing everything...trace el|ement (trace elements)
1 [N-COUNT]
A trace element is a chemical element such as iron or zinc that occurs in very small amounts in living things and is necessary for normal growth and development.
2 [N-COUNT]
A trace element is a very small amount of a chemical element that is found in a metal or other substance.
1 [N-COUNT] usu pl, usu with supp
The different elements of something are the different parts it contains.
The exchange of prisoners of war was one of the key elements of the UN's peace plan.
= constituent, component
2 [N-COUNT] with supp
A particular element of a situation, activity, or process is an important quality or feature that it has or needs.
Fitness has now become an important element in our lives.
= factor
3 [N-COUNT] usu pl, supp N
When you talk about elements within a society or organization, you are referring to groups of people who have similar aims, beliefs, or habits.
...criminal elements within the security forces.
...the hooligan element.
4 [N-COUNT] usu sing, N of n
If something has an element of a particular quality or emotion, it has a certain amount of this quality or emotion.
These reports clearly contain elements of propaganda.
5 [N-COUNT]
An element is a substance such as gold, oxygen, or carbon that consists of only one type of atom.
≠ compound
6 [N-COUNT] usu sing
The element in an electric fire or water heater is the metal part which changes the electric current into heat.
7 [N-PLURAL] the N
You can refer to the weather, especially wind and rain, as the elements.
The area where most refugees are waiting is exposed to the elements.
8 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that someone is in their element, you mean that they are in a situation they enjoy.
My stepmother was in her element, organizing everything...trace el|ement (trace elements)
1 [N-COUNT]
A trace element is a chemical element such as iron or zinc that occurs in very small amounts in living things and is necessary for normal growth and development.
2 [N-COUNT]
A trace element is a very small amount of a chemical element that is found in a metal or other substance.