substance

noun

sub·stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s

Synonyms of substance next

: essential nature : essence

: a fundamental or characteristic part or quality

Christian Science : god sense 1b

: ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change

: 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

: physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence

: matter of particular or definite chemical constitution

: something (such as drugs or alcoholic beverages) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction

possession of a controlled substance

substance abuse

: material possessions : property

a family of substance

substanceless

ˈsəb-stən(t)s-ləs

adjective

Phrases

in substance

: in respect to essentials : fundamentally

Example Sentences

The pancreas secretes a substance called insulin. The floor was covered with a white, powdery substance that turned out to be flour. heroin and other illegal substances He had a history of substance abuse. When has he ever said anything of substance? The results of the study give substance to their theory. the substance of my argument See More

Recent Examples on the Web That includes about $20 billion in care for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards. —

Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 3 June 2023 TikTok will, however, preface the results of these searches with a resource center that links out to content about substance abuse (which users can simply scroll beyond). —

Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 3 June 2023 The composite substance is stretchy and soft like living tissue. —

Sophie Bushwick, Scientific American, 1 June 2023 Waitlists are long for private shelters, transitional and supportive housing, substance abuse treatment and housing vouchers. —

Emily Goodykoontz, Anchorage Daily News, 1 June 2023 In response to this week’s suit, Justice sought to divert attention from the substance of the case by implying that the White House was using regulatory agencies for political purposes. —

Ken Ward Jr., ProPublica, 1 June 2023 The new spacecraft, the MBR Explorer—named after Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—will end its tour in 2034 by deploying a small lander at Justitia, an odd reddish asteroid that may be covered in organic substances. —

Byscience News Staff, science.org, 1 June 2023 The stress of parenting may set off a relapse for someone in recovery from a substance use disorder, said Katayune Kaeni, a psychologist and board chair of Postpartum Support International. —

Roni Caryn Rabin, BostonGlobe.com, 28 May 2023 Water has always been a tricky substance for animators, and what Sohn and his team do with it, especially once Ember starts visiting downtown Elemental City with Wade, can be impressive to behold. —

Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'substance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin substantia, from substant-, substans, present participle of substare to stand under, from sub- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of substance was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century