materiality

noun

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​i·​ty mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

plural materialities

1

: the quality or state of being material

2

: something that is material

Synonyms of materiality

• case
• reality
• fact

Examples of materiality in a Sentence

preferred a single materiality to a slew of hypotheticals

the materiality of that fact is not in dispute

Recent Examples on the Web

Both demonstrate a compelling understanding of proportion and materiality, with a clarity of vision that feels highly relevant for the contemporary luxury landscape. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026

The car as movement, as thing, as cat, as artifact, as register, as passion, as desire, as possession, materiality, metaphor, theory, practice, horizon of understanding, and as a journey across this horizon. —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

The paint is splotchy in places and the photographs are pinned delicately to a dark surface, their edges curling, giving the overall installation a textured materiality. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Abstract canvases explore nature, the body and materiality. —Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for materiality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality