materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce materialize (audio)
materialized; materializing

transitive verb

1
a
: to make material : objectify
b
: to cause to appear in bodily form
materialize the spirits of the dead
2
: to cause to be materialistic

intransitive verb

1
: to assume bodily form
2
a
: to appear especially suddenly
b
: to come into existence
materializer noun

Examples of materialize in a Sentence

A waiter suddenly materialized beside our table. Rain clouds materialized on the horizon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Such a deal has yet to materialize, with opposing GMs attempting to buy low on a former first-round pick who had a disappointing preseason and has seemingly fallen out of favor with the team that drafted him. Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 Should no peace deal materialize in the next few months, the war will enter its fourth year, with both countries losing tens of thousands of men to the conflict. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025 As fans campaign for a Star Wars project that never materialized, Steven Soderbergh is finally able to discuss his script. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025 While the actor continued to steadily work in fashion advertising campaigns and small European films as his reputation tanked in America, more mainstream projects are beginning to materialize. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for materialize

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of materialize was in 1710

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Materialize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialize. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

materialize

verb
ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce materialize (audio)
materialized; materializing
1
: to give material form and substance to
2
: to assume or cause to assume bodily form
a ghost materialized out of nowhere
3
a
: to come into existence
a promise that never materialized
b
: to appear suddenly

More from Merriam-Webster on materialize

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