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

see also:

in substance

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

Democrats are still testing their responses to Trump, both stylistically and in terms of substance, and watching and evaluating one another. —Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026

In an interview with the Tribune, Hicks said she’s sought help through Narcotics Anonymous and has even been a speaker at meetings about the prison system and her past struggles with substance abuse. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

On Thursday, Judge Simone Levine set a $100,000 bond and ordered LaBeouf to undergo drug testing and enroll in substance abuse treatment, WWL-TV reported. —CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026

The study found that people exposed to louder noise at night — especially sounds above 55 decibels — showed changes in 48 different substances in their blood. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Feb. 2026

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