Definition of "mineral" []

• A naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness. (noun)
• Any of various natural substances, as: (noun)
• An element, such as gold or silver. (noun)
• An organic derivative, such as coal or petroleum. (noun)
• A substance, such as stone, sand, salt, or coal, that is extracted or obtained from the ground or water and used in economic activities. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "In geology, the term mineral describes any naturally-occurring solid substance with a specific composition and crystal structure."
• "But those to which the term mineral manure is applied for the most part contain only one or two of the essential elements of plants, and hence cannot be applied as substitutes for the substances already discussed, although they are frequently most important additions to them."
• "This news release uses the term mineral "resources"."