material

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

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: material in a Sentence

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

—

materially

play \-ē-ə-lē\ adverb

—

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

But software sales aren’t a material part of its business, according to Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon.

— ted greenwald, WSJ, "Broadcom to Buy CA Technologies for $18.9 Billion," 11 July 2018
These jets, whose material moves at nearly the speed of light, could help astronomers better understand the long-ago era when the universe's first stars formed and began clumping together, researchers said.

— Fox News, "Superbright quasar could shed light on universe's youth," 10 July 2018
In an ideal world, progressives would be able to assemble a broad, cross-racial, working class coalition by simply appealing to the rational, material interests of ordinary Americans.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Ocasio-Cortez Proved That ‘Identity Politics’ Is an Asset For Berniecrats," 27 June 2018
Many of them said money or material things, Fratanduono-Meo said, but her son’s answer?

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "Tom Meo: An ever-curious extrovert devoted to his family," 13 July 2018
This reflected light makes the material look brighter and lighter.

— science buddies, Scientific American, "Warm in the Sun," 12 July 2018
The straws will be replaced by new recyclable strawless lids and alternative material straws.

— alana wise and caroline hroncich, The Christian Science Monitor, "Starbucks to phase out plastic straws by 2020," 9 July 2018
The mother and daughter will remain in the U.S. as material witnesses in the prosecution against the driver.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Girl, 10, and mom rescued from compartment during border smuggling attempt," 3 July 2018
This means that they are deprived of contact with the material world, with nature, with civic life and with their own capacities.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "Why do young parents move away? Our cities aren’t designed for kids," 19 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

material Synonyms

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

But Kessler died in 2011, shortly after reviewing the Snell autopsy materials.

— shawn musgrave, BostonGlobe.com, "Legal battle over medical examiner’s track record," 14 July 2018
Palm Beach County has one landfill that takes all the same materials that Mount Trashmore does and Miami-Dade County has three of them.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Mount Trashmore, the landfill that's over 20 stories, will grow bigger and taller," 13 July 2018
The materials on display are drawn from the museum's collections, and constitute a sort of family album, according to Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros, who curated the show.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora Historical Society to hold party to highlight exhibit on ethnic diversity," 13 July 2018
The convenience of a large opening does come with a trade-off, however: OtterBox had to add buckles to hold down the extra material at either end when the duffel is zipped shut.

— emily reed, Outside Online, "Testing OtterBox’s New Yampa Drybag Duffel," 12 July 2018
The test data also showed the marketing materials resonated with students of color.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Higher Ed Needs More Cowboys," 12 July 2018
Some of what Burnham strikes upon here will ring true for most viewers, while other scenes (particularly the material connected to Kayla’s online interactions) speak directly to a newer generation.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Eighth Grade Is a Mesmerizing, Heartfelt Portrait of Teenhood," 12 July 2018
An effort is underway to replace the classroom materials.

— Ramona Sentinel, "Vandals ransack classrooms at James Dukes Elementary School," 11 July 2018
Anti-poverty advocates cite the lack of health insurance for more than 25 million Americans as evidence that far more people suffer from material deprivation.

— jeff stein and tracy jan, chicagotribune.com, "White House declares war on poverty 'largely over' amid push to revamp social programs," 14 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of material

see ¹material

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1556

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

material Synonyms

Synonyms

accoutrements (or accouterments), apparatus, equipment, gear, hardware, matériel (or materiel), outfit, paraphernalia, stuff, tackle;

baggage, belongings, impedimenta;

appliances, facilities, instruments, machinery, tools;

apparel, attire, habiliments, raiment, trappings;

armamentarium, armory, arsenal, battery;

assets, resources;

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.

—

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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