natural resource

noun

1
natural resources plural : industrial materials and capacities (such as mineral deposits and waterpower) supplied by nature
2
: resource sense 1b

Examples of natural resource in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Beyond the use or misuse of natural resources, however, is an even grander concept of nature that can inspire conservation efforts. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2026 For Lange, places like Lynn Woods Reservation demonstrate why protecting natural resources deserves a dedicated source of funding. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Sign up for the newsletter The order will create a Highway 1 task force, led by the state transportation and natural resources agencies, to prepare the roadway for coastal storms and tackle longer-term climate change risks. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2026 Rivers, wetlands, fisheries and the natural resources around them have long been part of our communities and our cultural traditions. — Dana Adkins, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for natural resource

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of natural resource was in 1776

Browse Nearby Words

natural resin
natural resource
natural rubber
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Natural resource.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20resource. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

natural resource

noun
: something (as a mineral, waterpower source, forest, or kind of animal) that is found in nature and is valuable to humans (as in providing a source of energy, recreation, or scenic beauty)

More from Merriam-Webster on natural resource

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about natural resource

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of wraith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All