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

This film documents the life of artist Nan Goldin and her activism against the Sackler family, whose Purdue Pharma aggressively marketed its OxyContin painkiller — a substance largely responsible for America’s opioid crisis. —Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2024

Google’s ever-evolving solutions to filter out these deceptions have sometimes warped the style and substance of even legitimate writing. —Judith Donath, The Atlantic, 22 Apr. 2024

Focusing on the power of community — from welcoming common areas to work or imbibe to design elements and amenities that celebrate local artisans — Trunk is all about immersive experiences with substance. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2024

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed substance abuse was not a factor in the crash. —Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

There are mothers who are substance users, older mothers, and mothers with congenital health conditions. —Lisa Miller, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2024

The program addresses nearly 800 hazardous substances in addition to PFOA and PFOS. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024

The substances: alcohol and cannabis Sipping a glass of wine or popping an edible might seem like an easy road to dreamland…. —Ali Finney, SELF, 19 Apr. 2024

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

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