material

adjective ma·te·ri·al \ mə-ˈtir-ē-əl \

Definition of material

1 a (1) :relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter; especially :physical

the material world

(2) :bodily

material needs

b (1) :of or relating to matter rather than form

material cause

the material aspect of being

(2) :of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning; especially :empirical

material knowledge

2 :having real importance or great consequences

facts material to the investigation

3 a :being of a physical or worldly nature

a grossly material form of love

b :relating to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual things

material progress

provide material assistance

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materially

play \-ē-ə-lē\ adverb

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materialness

noun

See material defined for English-language learners

See material defined for kids

Examples of material in a Sentence

He is concerned only with his own material comforts.
The researchers included all data that was material.

Recent Examples of material from the Web

Build partnerships with the social/secular institutions of our city, with suburban and downtown communities of faith to help provide spiritual, human and material support. 10.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "Seeking divine intervention in Gary's violent streets," 26 Aug. 2017
The expert and his team also listed several reasons why material purchases end up feeling less than satisfying.

— jessica mattern, Country Living, "Why Spending Your Money on Experiences—Not Things—Will Make You Happier," 24 Aug. 2017
Thirteen immigrants were in federal custody, being held as material witnesses in the government's case against Bradley, the U.S. Attorney's office announced.

— nomaan merchant, The Courier-Journal, "Mexican government reuniting smuggling victims with families," 27 July 2017
Whereas in 2016 that meant freeing our shoulders from any material constraint, this year's trend to beat is gingham—at least, according to every Instagrammer, model, and celebrity who's gone on vacation this season.

— ana colon, Glamour, "All the Gingham Dresses to Buy While You Still Have Summer Weekends," 21 July 2017
Many investors view Trump’s focus on material wealth as coming at a significant moral cost — and at a potentially large financial one as well.

— tom saler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "History has steered folks to environmental, social and governance investing," 15 July 2017
Put more pressure on Paul Manafort, who, as a campaign manager, knew full well that financial or material aid from a foreign nation is against the law?

— jason johnson, The Root, "Donald Trump Jr. Releases Collusion Emails, Goes Full Fredo Corleone," 11 July 2017
Dozens of others — immigrants and citizens alike — were arrested and held under material witness warrants, without any allegation of wrongdoing.

— michael german, Time, "Ex-Fed: 4 Questions Congress Must Ask Trump's FBI Pick," 11 July 2017
When material, earthly concerns meet up with emotions, there can be some discomfort in our relationships caused by money and material goods.

— jodie layne, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 9 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'material.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of material

Middle English materiel, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin materialis, from Latin materia matter — more at matter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

material Synonyms

Synonyms

concrete, physical, substantial

Antonyms

immaterial, nonmaterial, nonphysical

Related Words

bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, embodied, fleshly; apparent, appreciable, detectable, discernible (also discernable), noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, seeable, sensible, tangible, touchable, visible; objective, phenomenal; bulky, heavy, hefty, massive, ponderous, solid, weighty

Near Antonyms

bodiless, discarnate, disembodied, formless, incorporeal, unbodied; ethereal, insubstantial, unsubstantial; impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, unnoticeable; airy, diaphanous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish; metaphysical, spiritual

Synonym Discussion of material

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality. material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

- material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

- the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

- artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

- scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

- the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

- no objective evidence of damage

synonyms see in addition relevant

material

noun

Definition of material

1 a (1) :the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made

(2) :matter that has qualities which give it individuality and by which it may be categorized

sticky material

explosive materials

b (1) :something (such as data) that may be worked into a more finished form

material for a biography

(2) :something used for or made the object of study

material for the next semester

(3) :a performer's repertoire

a comedian's material

c :matter 3b

d :cloth

e :a person potentially suited to some pursuit

varsity material

leadership material

2 a :apparatus necessary for doing or making something

writing materials

b :matériel

See material defined for English-language learners

Examples of material in a Sentence

paper, plastic, or other materials
She was never without reading material.
The curtains required yards of expensive material.

Recent Examples of material from the Web

In the application, Harvest Alaska, a subsidiary of Hilcorp, proposes putting soil and other excavated material into 3 acres of wetlands in order to build about 2 miles of 10-inch oil pipeline.

— alex demarban, Alaska Dispatch News, "Hilcorp moves forward on plan to close volcano-threatened oil tank farm," 19 July 2017
The essay is available online as part of The New School History Project, a site where students curate a trove of recovered archival material to provoke critical and informed discussion.

— catherine cusick, longreads.com, "Tennessee Williams’ Catastrophe of Success," 19 July 2017
Grumbles about tanklike visibility remain, but Chevy fixed the Camaro’s other major shortcomings, such as the cheap-looking interior materials, with this sixth-generation car.

— josh jacquot, Car and Driver, "2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS," 19 July 2017
The difference is many of his new feelings seem to be about struggling with fame more than with romantic relationships, and his new old haircut might signal a shift back to his old source material.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Drake's New Haircut Is Either a Clue About His Next Album or Just a Haircut," 18 July 2017
All materials should be in good, clean condition with no writing, highlighting or torn pages.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 17 July 2017
This #Lemonsqueezer made out of the high quality material available and will not break when squeezing.

— carly breit, Country Living, "You've Been Using a Lemon Juicer All Wrong," 14 July 2017
Prices run from $50 to $8,000, depending on the materials used and labor involved.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
With the river so high, East Dundee was making sandbags and sand available for free to residents, with the material available in a vacant lot not far from the police station off Railroad Street.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin area recovering from storms, preparing for possible flooding," 13 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of material

see ¹material

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1556

See Words from the same year

material Synonyms

Synonyms

making, raw material, stuff, substance, timber

Related Words

possibility, potential, potentiality; matter, metal

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, duck, flock, lawn, toile

MATERIAL Defined for English Language Learners

material

adjective

Definition of material for English Language Learners

: relating to or made of matter
: physical rather than spiritual or intellectual
: having real importance

material

noun

Definition of material for English Language Learners

: a substance from which something is made or can be made
: a substance that has a particular quality
: something used in doing a particular activity

MATERIAL Defined for Kids

material

adjective ma·te·ri·al \ mə-ˈtir-ē-əl \

Definition of material for Students

1 :of, relating to, or made of matter :physical

the material world

2 :of or relating to a person's bodily needs or wants

Money buys material comforts.

3 :having real importance

Those facts aren't material to the case.

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materially

adverb

material

noun

Definition of material for Students

1 :the elements, substance, or parts of which something is made or can be made

We purchased bricks and other building material.

2 :equipment needed for doing something

writing materials

Law Dictionary

material

adjective ma·te·ri·al \ mə-ˈtir-ē-əl \

legal Definition of material

1 :of, relating to, or consisting of physical matter

2 :being of real importance or consequence

3 :being an essential component

the material terms of the contract

4 :being relevant to a subject under consideration; specifically :being such as would affect or be taken into consideration by a reasonable person in acting or making a decision — see also insider trading

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