Definition of substance
2 a
: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
3 a
: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
