element: 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.; (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. / element: 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.; (law) 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.