1. The natural world as it exists without human beings or civilization: The story that Harry was reading was about what nature was like before people decided to change and modify it to a large extent.
2. The elements of the natural world: Jill and her family went on camping vacations to see and enjoy the great variety and beauties of nature, such as the mountains, trees, animals, and rivers.
3. The basic character of something: The police didn't make any comments on the nature of the accident being investigated.
4. The processes that create and control the phenomena of the material world: Alfred learned in his biology class at school how the balance of nature functioned.