substance

noun

sub·​stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

1

a

: essential nature : essence

b

: a fundamental or characteristic part or quality

the substance of her speech

c

Christian Science : god sense 1b

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

fabric of an unknown substance

b

: matter of particular or definite chemical constitution

a chemically pure substance

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

substanceless

ˈsəb-stən(t)s-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

in substance

: in respect to essentials : fundamentally

Synonyms of substance

• potential
• material
• potentiality
• making

Examples of substance in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Since 2014, Petitioner [Abdi] has worked at a substance abuse treatment facility and has been commended by the owner for his work. —Conor Wight, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025

Bevacqua didn't keep his anger pointed at just the CFP selection committee, calling out ESPN for its partnership with the CFP committee using the weekly ranking updates as an entertainment exercise rather than giving substance as to what criteria the members are looking for from programs. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

Today, Bailee lives with her father and stepmom, Bunnie XO, as the couple were granted full custody of Bailee due to her mother’s substance issues. —Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025

The doctor compared mixing fentanyl with alcohol or other substances to playing Russian roulette. —Sean Emery, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025

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

Phrases Containing substance

• a man/woman/person of substance
• be without substance
• controlled substance
• ground substance
• queen substance
• substance P
• sum and substance
• working substance

Kids Definition

substance

noun

sub·​stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

1

a

: essential nature : essence

divine substance

b

: the fundamental or essential part, quality, or meaning

the substance of the speech

2

a

: physical material from which something is made

b

: material of particular or definite chemical constitution

an oily substance

c

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

substance abuse

3

: material possessions : property

a person of substance

Medical Definition

substance

noun

sub·​stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

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

Legal Definition

substance

noun

sub·​stance

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