material

1 of 2

adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

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

mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

materialness noun

material

2 of 2

noun

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 sense 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

Synonyms

Adjective

• concrete
• physical
• substantial

Noun

• making
• raw material
• stuff
• substance
• timber

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of material in a Sentence

Adjective

He is concerned only with his own material comforts.

The researchers included all data that was material.

Noun

paper, plastic, or other materials

She was never without reading material.

The curtains required yards of expensive material.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. —Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

Summary judgment is a final decision made on statements and evidence without going to trial when a judge sees no genuine dispute to any material fact. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024

Oxford Economics doesn’t expect the reshuffling to have any material impact on the nation’s $28 trillion economy or economic growth this year. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024

But even without the material powers to enforce its judgements, the ICJ can still have a considerable effect by marshaling the moral powers of global condemnation. —Rochelle Terman, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2024

As the series shows, there is material impact from this volatility, beyond the crushing of fans’ hopes. —Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024

Indeed, the bacterium—and in some cases, just portions of it—were detectable in the material, boosting hopes that the same techniques could be applied to real otherworldly material. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024

The New York Times has not seen the material Israeli officials presented to members of Congress. —Robert Jimison, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

People showing off the material accouterments of life. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024

Noun

Watchdog Union-Tribune, CBS 8 seek to intervene in Serna case in effort to unseal jail-death records, exhibits April 3, 2024 The Union-Tribune and CBS 8 sought to intervene in the case earlier this week on the grounds that the material should be included in the public record. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

The ultra-plush material is designed to absorb excess water, which is ideal for a rug that goes right next to your shower or bathtub. —Rachel Trujillo, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2024

After a 1978 hang gliding accident, Marilyn Hamilton worked with a pair of friends to invent a light, easy-to-maneuver wheelchair, using materials from hang gliders. —Roger Catlin, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Auerbach further testified that he was advised by lawyer Richard Keegan to delete material from his phone and computer that could be damaging to Seven. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

Such a vacation destination was ideal for Rockefeller, an environmentalist who is the founder of The Circularity Project, a nonprofit that empowers designers to use materials that last longer and use fewer resources—reducing the eco-footprint of the fashion industry in the process. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024

The space agency’s stance, however, was that the lightweight insulation material likely didn’t cause significant harm. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Design and construction also take time, and costs for materials and labor are expected to increase. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024

On the men’s side, there’s a healthy mix of chains, bracelets, rings, and charms in materials like stainless steel and 14K gold. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing material

• raw material

Kids Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: relating to or consisting of matter : physical

the material world

material comforts

2

a

: important sense 1

food is material to health

b

: relevant

is that information material to the problem?

3

: physical rather than spiritual or intellectual

material needs

materiality

-ˌtir-ē-ˈal-ət-ē

noun

materially

-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

1

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

building materials

2

: equipment and supplies for doing or making something

writing materials

Legal Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

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

materiality

mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

materially adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

: something used for or made the object of consideration or study

specifically : evidence see also brady material