substance
noun
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Definition of substance
1a : essential nature : essence
b : a fundamental or characteristic part or quality
c Christian Science : god sense 1b
2a : ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change
b : practical importance : meaning, usefulness the … bill—which will be without substance in the sense that it will authorize nothing more than a set of ideas— Richard Reeves
3a : physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence
b : matter of particular or definite chemical constitution
c : something (such as drugs or alcoholic beverages) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction possession of a controlled substance substance abuse
4 : material possessions : property a family of substance
: in respect to essentials : fundamentally
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Other Words from substance
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adjective
Synonyms for substance
Synonyms
assets, capital, fortune, means, opulence, riches, wealth, wherewithal, worth
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Examples of substance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That substance is being tested, according to reporting from the AP. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Barack Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton Were Sent "Potential Explosive Devices" in the Mail," 24 Oct. 2018 Irritant contact dermatitis, which is the more common form, happens when a substance is harsh enough to damage your outer layer of skin. — Korin Miller, SELF, "Here’s Why Your Same Old Eye Makeup Is Suddenly Causing Irritation," 5 Oct. 2018 The Metropolitan Police said the small bottle was found during searches of Rowley's house Wednesday and scientists confirmed the substance in the bottle was Novichok. — Gregory Katz, chicagotribune.com, "Bottle containing nerve agent found in home of poisoned man in U.K., police say," 13 July 2018 The Metropolitan Police said the small bottle was found during searches of Rowley's house Wednesday and scientists confirmed the substance in the bottle was Novichok. — Fox News, "UK police confirm source of Novichok poisoning," 13 July 2018 The substance behind this claim is that its chef-de-cuisine is a robot. — The Economist, "The rise of the robochef," 12 July 2018 Animal tests are considered the gold standard for determining how toxic a substance might be to people. — Eric Boodman, STAT, "Computers may surpass rabbits and rodents for some chemical safety tests," 11 July 2018 An officer later determined the substance was a chemical spray from a fire extinguisher. — Joe Marusak, charlotteobserver, "Vandal left disgusting and smelly surprise on pastor’s chair at church, NC police say," 11 July 2018 For one thing, the substance applied in rejuvenating an asphalt roadway is not as thick as the sealant applied to driveways and parking lots. — Dan Moran, Lake County News-Sun, "Moran: Lake County looks to rejuvenate pavement before wear-and-tear sets in," 6 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'substance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for substance
substance
noun
English Language Learners Definition of substance
: a material of a particular kind
: a drug that is considered harmful and whose use is controlled by law or made illegal
: the quality of being meaningful, useful, or important
See the full definition for substance in the English Language Learners Dictionary
substance
noun
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Kids Definition of substance
1 : material of a certain kind an oily substance
2 : the most basic or important part or quality The books differ in both style and substance.
3 : material belongings : wealth a person of substance
substance
noun
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Medical Definition of substance
1 : physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence the substance of nerve tissue
2 : matter of particular or definite chemical constitution
3 : something (as alcohol, methamphetamine, or marijuana) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction heroin is a controlled substance substance abuse
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substance
nounLegal Definition of substance
1 : substantive law was a question of substance and not process — compare procedure
2 : something (as language) essential especially to establishing a valid right, claim, or charge a title defective in form, not substance
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