substance

noun

sub·​stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

1

a

: essential nature : essence

b

: a fundamental or characteristic part or quality

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

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

substanceless

ˈsəb-stən(t)s-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

in substance

: in respect to essentials : fundamentally

Synonyms

• making
• material
• raw material
• stuff
• timber

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

What is 4/20? 4/20 Day is a celebration of the green, mind-altering substance of marijuana by users, manufacturers, advocates and those new to the cannabis community. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 Apr. 2024

Yet limited resources and stigma prevent pregnant women who struggle with substance use from seeking or accessing care. —Mira Cheng, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

Excessive prison sentences tore families apart and criminalized those with substance use issues instead of providing resources for treatment. —Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024

Companies started making them in the 1940s, but the substances were largely phased out of U.S. chemical and product manufacturing in the mid-2000s. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024

Isolation and the pandemic have driven substance use. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024

Coronary heart disease occurs when a fatty substance called plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, restricting blood flow. —Lauryn Higgins, Health, 10 Apr. 2024

Driver, who plays the inventor of a mystery substance that the film title refers to, plays her lover and the affair drives the primary tension in the script. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024

Competency treatment is for people who are deemed unable to stand trial due to mental illness, substance abuse, or developmental disabilities, and must be given treatment before their court proceedings can continue. —Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024

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
• in 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