Component vs. Element

Component vs. Element — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Component and Element

Componentnoun

A smaller, self-contained part of a larger entity. Often refers to a manufactured object that is part of a larger device.

A CPU is a component of a computer.

Elementnoun

One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.

Letters are the elements of written language.

Componentadjective

Making up a larger whole; as a component word.

Elementnoun

(chemistry) Any one of the simplest chemical substances that cannot be decomposed in a chemical reaction or by any chemical means and made up of atoms all having the same number of protons.

Componentadjective

Made up of smaller complete units in combination; as a component stereo.

Elementnoun

One of the four basic building blocks of matter in theories of ancient philosophers and alchemists: water, earth, fire, and air.

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Componentnoun

an abstract part of something;

jealousy was a component of his charactertwo constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmonythe grammatical elements of a sentencea key factor in her successhumor: an effective ingredient of a speech

Elementnoun

(legal) A required aspect or component of a cause of action. A deed is regarded as a violation of law only if each element can be proved.

Componentnoun

something determined in relation to something that includes it;

he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himselfI read a portion of the manuscriptthe smaller component is hard to reach

Elementnoun

(set theory) One of the objects in a set.

Componentnoun

an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system;

spare components for carsa component or constituent element of a system

Elementnoun

Any of the teeth of a zip fastener.

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Elementnoun

A small part of the whole.

an element of doubt;an element of the picture

Elementnoun

Atmospheric forces such as strong winds and rains.

exposed to the elements

Elementnoun

A place or state of being that an individual or object is best suited to.

to be in one's element

Elementnoun

The bread and wine taken at Holy Communion.

Elementnoun

A group of people within a larger group having a particular common characteristic.

You sometimes find the hooligan element at football matches.

Elementnoun

A component in electrical equipment, often in the form of a coil, having a high resistance, thereby generating heat when a current is passed through it.

The element in this electric kettle can heat the water in under a minute.

Elementnoun

(computing) One of the conceptual objects in a markup language, usually represented in text by tags.

Elementverb

(obsolete) To compound of elements.

Elementverb

(obsolete) To constitute and be the elements of.

Elementnoun

an abstract part of something;

jealousy was a component of his charactertwo constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmonythe grammatical elements of a sentencea key factor in her successhumor: an effective ingredient of a speech

Elementnoun

any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter

Elementnoun

an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system;

spare components for carsa component or constituent element of a system

Elementnoun

one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe;

the alchemists believed that there were four elements

Elementnoun

the most favorable environment for a plant or animal;

water is the element of fishes

Elementnoun

the situation in which you are happiest and most effective;

in your element

Elementnoun

a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone