material

1 of 2

adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

a(1)

: relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter

especially : physical

the material world

(2)

: bodily

material needs

b(1)

: of or relating to matter rather than form

material cause

the material aspect of being

(2)

: of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning

especially : empirical

material knowledge

2

: having real importance or great consequences

facts material to the investigation

3

a

: being of a physical or worldly nature

a grossly material form of love

b

: relating to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual things

material progress

provide material assistance

materially

mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

materialness noun

material

2 of 2

noun

1

a(1)

: the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made

(2)

: matter that has qualities which give it individuality and by which it may be categorized

sticky material

explosive materials

b(1)

: something (such as data) that may be worked into a more finished form

material for a biography

(2)

: something used for or made the object of study

material for the next semester

(3)

: a performer's repertoire

a comedian's material

c

: matter sense 3b

d

: cloth

e

: a person potentially suited to some pursuit

varsity material

leadership material

2

a

: apparatus necessary for doing or making something

writing materials

b

: matériel

Synonyms

Adjective

• concrete
• physical
• substantial

Noun

• making
• raw material
• stuff
• substance
• timber

Choose the Right Synonym for material

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality.

material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

synonyms see in addition relevant

Examples of material in a Sentence

Adjective

He is concerned only with his own material comforts.

The researchers included all data that was material.

Noun

paper, plastic, or other materials

She was never without reading material.

The curtains required yards of expensive material.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Her office released a statement Tuesday saying prosecutors will charge Uribe with witness bribing and procedural fraud, based on the physical and material evidence collected. —Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

Failure to commence production would have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to generate revenue and cash flow to fund operations. —Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

Summary judgment is a final decision made on statements and evidence without going to trial when a judge sees no genuine dispute to any material fact. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024

Oxford Economics doesn’t expect the reshuffling to have any material impact on the nation’s $28 trillion economy or economic growth this year. —Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024

But even without the material powers to enforce its judgements, the ICJ can still have a considerable effect by marshaling the moral powers of global condemnation. —Rochelle Terman, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2024

As the series shows, there is material impact from this volatility, beyond the crushing of fans’ hopes. —Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024

Indeed, the bacterium—and in some cases, just portions of it—were detectable in the material, boosting hopes that the same techniques could be applied to real otherworldly material. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024

The New York Times has not seen the material Israeli officials presented to members of Congress. —Robert Jimison, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Noun

The materials ranged in date from 1607 to 1949, per a statement. —Juan B. García, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

It’s made of a textured material that’s durable and soft to the touch. —Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Second Chance Re-Use: April 20 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., browse the Second Chance Sample giveaway of the materials dropped off the day before. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024

But quite unbeknown to me, Toor’s life in New York had opened up a new vein of material. —Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Some of the new material has value, particularly middle chapters that focus on Durst’s remaining friends, and how and why these people refuse to cut him off despite the mounting evidence of his guilt. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024

Underwater walls of glass in the swimming pool further enhance the interplay between interior and exterior spaces, while the extensive use of hardwoods and other natural materials, including verdant living walls of foliage, connects the home to its natural surroundings. —Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024

The actor-producer took his movie back to the source material this week, showing it to a group of bonobos at Ape Initiative in Des Moines, Iowa. —Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

In partnership with general contractor, JE Dunn, MMT will provide mass timber design assistance, materials, and coordination and logistics for the project, including the signature roof structure. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English materiel, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin materialis, from Latin materia matter — more at matter

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing material

• raw material

Kids Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: relating to or consisting of matter : physical

the material world

material comforts

2

a

: important sense 1

food is material to health

b

: relevant

is that information material to the problem?

3

: physical rather than spiritual or intellectual

material needs

materiality

-ˌtir-ē-ˈal-ət-ē

noun

materially

-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

1

: the elements or substance of which something is made or can be made

building materials

2

: equipment and supplies for doing or making something

writing materials

Legal Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of physical matter

2

: being of real importance or consequence

3

: being an essential component

the material terms of the contract

4

: being relevant to a subject under consideration

specifically : being such as would affect or be taken into consideration by a reasonable person in acting or making a decision see also insider trading

materiality

mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

materially adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

: something used for or made the object of consideration or study

specifically : evidence see also brady material