material

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

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

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

Lonergan's work is matched by director Hettie MacDonald, who, rather than leaning on handsome production design and costumes, makes the material feel immediate, and the characters' choices full of risk.

— kristi turnquist, OregonLive.com, "TV This Week: 'Howards End'; 'Killing Eve'; 'Deadliest Catch'; 'Elvis Presley: The Searcher'," 8 Apr. 2018
The defense manufacturer has openings ranging from material handler to systems administrator.

— ronald j. hansen, azcentral, "Arizona companies hiring 100 or more in April 2018," 3 Apr. 2018
Not to be outdone, Richard Mille, grand master of alternative material innovation, is at the final stage of crafting a watch case from a material that relegates even unobtanium to the bush leagues by its sheer badassitude.

— wei koh, A-LIST, "How the Watch Industry Plundered the Periodic Table," 3 Apr. 2018
The purported omission of material information, it is said, has the effect of making the memo misleading.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "Positioning over the Nunes FISA Memo Continues Ahead of Its Release," 1 Feb. 2018
Job openings range from entry level to mid-management, with job titles such as engineer, material handler, CNC machinist and others.

— bob dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Around the Corner's' John McGivern to appear in South Milwaukee April 7," 2 Apr. 2018
City officials plan to make the material public within 30 days of the March 18 shooting, in accordance with official city policy.

— christianna silva, Teen Vogue, "Stephon Clark Was Black and Unarmed; Police Shot at Him 20 Times," 21 Mar. 2018
This is what happened when material stolen from Emmanuel Macron’s campaign was posted shortly before the second round of last May’s French election.

— The Economist, "Russian disinformation distorts American and European democracy," 24 Feb. 2018
But research shows that parental practices are more influential than material resources in a child’s development.

— jack schneider, The Atlantic, "What School-Funding Debates Ignore," 22 Jan. 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

Still, the newer cast tackled Mulaney’s material with aplomb, leading to one of the strongest episodes of the season.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Consider the 'Diner Lobster'," 17 Apr. 2018
The release of the files is a requirement under city policy, which says that the Police Department must release material associated with critical incidents to the public within 30 days.

— hailey branson-potts, latimes.com, "As Stephon Clark lay motionless, officers thought he might be armed and 'pretending,' new footage shows," 17 Apr. 2018
Schools can access materials to help continue a student's education after the school day.

— lauren castle, azcentral, "Education funding challenges hurt Arizona tech industry, STEM advocates say," 17 Apr. 2018
Widely recognized for its clean, straight lines and unembellished interiors, modern design commonly uses natural materials such as wood, leather, teak and linen.

— Detroit Free Press, "Everything you need to know about modern and contemporary design," 16 Apr. 2018
Since February, her Old Saybrook, Conn., firm has been stocking up on aluminum and steel, instead of buying materials two or three days before they will be cut and bent for just-in-time manufacturing.

— ruth simon, WSJ, "From Wisconsin to Connecticut, Small Businesses Feel Pain of Tariffs," 16 Apr. 2018
Some or all of these investigations could uncover materials that might advance claims by Doe and others.

— michael mccann, SI.com, "Title IX Lawsuit Over Players' Alleged Rape Adds to Michigan State's Growing Legal Troubles," 13 Apr. 2018
Inspired by the Space Race and Mod youth culture, designers explored geometry and color theory, and repurposed industrial materials like vinyl and metal.

— alice bell, Vogue, "Lost in Space Is Back! Why the Series’ Iconic Space Age Fashion Remains Relevant Today," 13 Apr. 2018
Using a new building material is a departure for the company, which has spent nearly 90 years perfecting aluminum construction.

— jack stewart, WIRED, "Airstream's New Baby Trailer is Less Pretty, More Practical," 12 Apr. 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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