A mineral is a substance such as tin, salt, or sulphur that is formed naturally in rocks and in the earth. Minerals are also found in small quantities in food and drink.
mineral in British English
(ˈmɪnərəl, ˈmɪnrəl)
noun
1.
any of a class of naturally occurring solid inorganic substances with a characteristic crystalline form and a homogeneous chemical composition
2.
any inorganic matter
3.
any substance obtained by mining, esp a metal ore
4. (often plural) British short for mineral water
5. British
a soft drink containing carbonated water and flavourings
Usual US word: soda
adjective
6.
of, relating to, containing, or resembling minerals
Word origin
C15: from Medieval Latin minerāle (n), from minerālis (adj); related to minera mine, ore, of uncertain origin
mineral. in British English
abbreviation for
mineralogy or mineralogical
mineral in American English
(ˈmɪnərəl; ˈmɪnrəl)
noun
1.
an inorganic substance occurring naturally in the earth and having a consistent and distinctive set of physical properties (e.g., a usually crystalline structure, hardness, color, etc.) and a composition that can be expressed by a chemical formula: sometimes applied to substances in the earth of organic origin, such as coal
2.
ore
3.
any substance that is neither vegetable nor animal
4.
any element or inorganic compound needed by plants and animals for proper growth and functioning, as iron, phosphorus, or nitrate
5. British
a. [usually pl.]
mineral water
b.
a flavored, carbonated soft drink
adjective
6.
of, like, consisting of, or containing a mineral or minerals
Word origin
OFr < ML minerale, neut. of mineralis, mineral < minera, ore < VL *mina, mine1
Examples of 'mineral' in a sentence
mineral
It has fantastic digestive properties and has a high vitamin and mineral content.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For a general complexion boost, pure plant oils are packed with vitamins and minerals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Cut out alcohol Alcohol is liquid sugar and has almost no vitamins and minerals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is no scientific evidence that it has any great health benefits, but nutritionists say it is rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
The Sun (2016)
It lifted volume in metals and minerals by 13 per cent to 59 million tonnes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your blood tests confirmed a lack of minerals and vitamins that can be corrected with the iron supplements you were given, and vitamin B12 injections if necessary.
The Sun (2016)
It blamed the continuing lack of investment by mining and minerals companies.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They tried but failed to buy the mineral rights.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Made from new forms of mineral powders that absorb excess surface oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Madagascar has huge resources of minerals and metal under its old skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Working out how much of a vitamin or mineral you should be taking is fraught with complexity.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The luxury liner is brought to the surface to see if it was carrying a valuable mineral.
The Sun (2009)
Look for mineral rather than chemical filters.
The Sun (2013)
This would apply not only to fish but also to minerals on or below the sea bed.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Much conflict is based on competition for control of the mines that provide rich mineral resources.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The elephants come to the clearing in their dozens to swallow mineral salts essential to their diet.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But the most critical issue is mineral rights.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The minerals are also used in military equipment.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Sea salt contains more minerals than refined salt and you can just about taste them.
The Sun (2013)
This is yet another reason for obtaining basic vitamins and minerals from foods in the diet rather than taking supplements.
MacEoin, Beth Healthy By Nature (1994)
The country has rich mineral resources.
Thackrah, J. R. Twentieth Century History - Basic Facts (1985)
Modern society needs lots of metals and minerals, not only today but in the future.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Mining of the valuable mineral in eastern Congo has been the source of much conflict.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There has also been growing interest from Beijing in the region's mineral wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is the Congo's mineral wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It also trades chemicals, minerals and food and employs 29,000 people.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Word lists with
mineral
Industrial oils
In other languages
mineral
British English: mineral /ˈmɪnərəl; ˈmɪnrəl/ ADJECTIVE
of mineralsMineral means of, relating to, or containing minerals.
...non-renewable mineral resources.
American English: mineral
Arabic: مَعْدِن
Brazilian Portuguese: mineral
Chinese: 含矿物质的
Croatian: mineralni
Czech: minerální
Danish: mineralsk
Dutch: mineraal
European Spanish: mineral
Finnish: kivennäis-
French: minéral
German: mineralisch
Greek: μεταλλικός
Italian: minerale
Japanese: 鉱物の
Korean: 광물성의
Norwegian: mineral-
Polish: mineralny
European Portuguese: mineral
Romanian: mineral
Russian: минеральный
Latin American Spanish: mineral
Swedish: mineralisk
Thai: ที่มีแร่
Turkish: madensel
Ukrainian: мінеральний
Vietnamese: thuộc khoáng sản
British English: mineral /ˈmɪnərəl; ˈmɪnrəl/ NOUN
A mineral is a substance such as tin, salt, or coal that is formed naturally in rocks and in the earth.