raw material

noun

Synonyms of raw materialnext
: 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 mill …C. 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.
As supply chains are disrupted and raw material prices remain volatile, the cost pressures are now showing up in automakers' earnings. CNBC, 4 May 2026 The country posted a trade deficit for a fourth straight month, propelled by an increase in imports as global raw material prices spiked as a result of the conflict. Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen, Bloomberg, 3 May 2026 Also affected are petrochemical raw materials, which are the basis for the production of plastics worldwide and for the packaging of food, hygiene, health and cleaning products, according to the Costa Rican Chamber of the Plastic Industry (Aciplast). Anabella González, CNN Money, 2 May 2026 Wool Blankets New wool blankets are an investment—the raw materials are costly, and production is labor-intensive. Ashley Poskin, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raw material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw%20material. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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

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