material

1 of 2

adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce material (audio)
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 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
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
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
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 People showing off the material accouterments of life. Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 Together, those measures could have a material impact on affordability. Mekala Krishnan, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024 For example, in construction or engineering, companies engage offshore civil engineers for the creation of structural drawings, engineering specification documents, bill of material analysis and so much more. Shaveer Mirpuri, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The question whether a company’s GHG emissions or climate risk are material enough to be disclosed (or, if indubitably material, have been disclosed enough) will offer rich pickings for activists and the lawyers who feed off them. The Editors, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024 Using one’s platform to speak on the material reality of the hell that is Gaza today has the potential to yield external shifts and is an amulet against internalizing genocidal propaganda. Hazlitt, 6 Mar. 2024
Noun
The aluminum rolling facility, which is one of the largest in the world, supplies material to the aerospace, defense, marine, and transportation sectors. USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2024 One final frontier in this regard is leather, which has been the standard interior material for luxury cars for decades, along with an almost infinite number of other luxury products. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2024 In total, prosecutors said the materials contained fewer than 270 new documents, including 172 pages of new witness statements. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 25 Mar. 2024 Brunch will include six courses and cost $50 per person, excluding tax and tip, plus the optional make-your-own mimosa materials for an extra $35 or sangria for $16. Zoe Glasser, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024 According to Gibson, the production of most compressed earth bricks are a great option for developers who are looking to cut costs on materials while also looking for an environmentally friendly standard for building. J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2024 In a telephone interview, Max Hollein, the museum’s director and chief executive, said the volume of materials an auction house must review gave Simmons the background necessary to take on a review of the Met’s encyclopedic collection. Robin Pogrebin, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 The material is super soft, and 100 percent machine washable. Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024 The company asserts all materials are free of formaldehyde, PVC, and BPA. Tanya Edwards, Parents, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'material.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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)

Time Traveler
The first known use of material was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near material

Cite this Entry

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/material. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective
ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce material (audio)
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 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 How to pronounce material (audio)
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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on material

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