substrate

noun

sub·​strate ˈsəb-ˌstrāt 

1

: substratum

2

: the base on which an organism lives

the soil is the substrate of most seed plants

3

: a substance acted upon (as by an enzyme)

Did you know?

With its Latin prefix sub-, "below", substrate obviously refers to a layer under something else. Rock may serve as the substrate for the coral in a coral reef. Tiny wafers of silicon (or another semiconductor) serve as the substrate for computer chips. Substrate may also mean subsoil—that is, the layer under the topsoil, lacking in organic matter or humus. Substrate is part of the vocabulary of various other sciences, including chemistry and biology. But although it's mostly a scientific term, writers may also use it to mean simply "foundation"—for instance, when observing that reading is the substrate on which most other learning is based.

Examples of substrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The growth benefits and toxicity of quinone biosynthesis are balanced by a dual regulatory mechanism and substrate limitations. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025

But the scale has changed, and so has the substrate. —Salman Khan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Large terrariums, special heating and lighting equipment, specific substrates and cage decor can add up quickly. —Samantha Winegarner, Mercury News, 8 July 2025

Whether in remote island roosts or along migratory corridors near commercial farms, bird droppings may offer a scalable substrate for global influenza surveillance. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin substratum

First Known Use

1730, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for substrate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

substrate

noun

sub·​strate ˈsəb-ˌstrāt 

1

: an underlying layer: as

a

: substratum sense a

b

: the base on which an organism lives or over which it moves

the soil is the substrate of most plants

2

: a substance acted upon (as by an enzyme)

Medical Definition

substrate

noun

sub·​strate ˈsəb-ˌstrāt 

1

: substratum sense 1

2

: the base on which an organism lives

3

: a substance acted upon (as by an enzyme)