raw material

noun

: crude or processed material that can be converted by manufacture, processing, or combination into a new and useful product
wheat … is raw material for the flour millC. A. Koepke
broadly : something with a potential for improvement, development, or elaboration
perplexities are often the raw material of discoveries Agnes M. Clerke

Examples of raw material in a Sentence

His experiences during the war were the raw material for the story.
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.
The other issue is that Trump’s tariffs are raising the costs for the raw materials to build the satellites. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 May 2025 Lepper says those unusual raw materials include conch shells from the Gulf Coast, copper from southern Canada and obsidian from Obsidian Cliff in Yellowstone Park, illustrating the extent of the Hopewell culture’s influence. Kevin Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025 Her pieces are often inspired by the African diaspora and nature with all the raw materials being traceable. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 6 May 2025 As introduced in New York, the Fashion Act would mandate that any apparel or footwear company doing business in New York that has global revenue of $100 million or more be required to map their supply chains down to their raw material providers. Timothy J. McClimon, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for raw material

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raw material was in 1612

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Cite this Entry

“Raw material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw%20material. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

raw material

noun
: something from which a useful or desirable product can be manufactured or produced
wheat and rye are the raw materials for a flour mill
collect raw material for writing a story

More from Merriam-Webster on raw material

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