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

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Recent Examples on the Web

The hangar first went up in flames last week, releasing asbestos and other toxic substances into the air. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023

Since then, his fear has given way to fascination with the substance. —Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023

Divorce is allowed only under certain circumstances including adultery, abandonment, physical or substance abuse, or the commission of a felony. —Annie Karni, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023

In January 2023, Gov. Janet Mills proposed $94 million to support mental health and substance use disorder services, including funds to reimburse MaineCare, Maine's version of Medicaid, according to local ABC News affiliate WMTW. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2023

Its potential, however, is immense: Roughly 46 million Americans met the criteria for a substance use disorder as of 2021, according to the White House. —Lev Facher, STAT, 9 Nov. 2023

The substance was identified using preliminary field tests, not more rigorous lab tests at FBI facilities, the official said. —CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023

The gathering proved to be a meta affair, more about process than substance. —Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2023

During his life, the actor also transformed his own Malibu home into Perry House, a men’s sober living facility for those struggling with substance abuse. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2023

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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
• ground substance
• sum and substance
• working substance
• controlled substance
• queen substance
• substance P
• in substance

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

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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