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
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 The placement of a word in a sentence can make a material difference in what the sentence imparts. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Studies show that our satisfaction with material goods falls sharply over time, while satisfaction with experiences often increases. Jessica Dulong, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024 The development of these adhesives and their use in building tools is considered to be some solid material evidence of the cultural evolution and cognitive abilities of early humans. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024 The academic field of book history strives to keep the material facts of the book as an object—paper (or parchment, or papyrus), typography, printing history—in steady focus. Claudia Roth Pierpont, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 So, too, in the West, where flatware, like other material goods and imports from abroad that were initially available only to those with access to knowledge and resources, became a marker of status. Ligaya Mishan Kyoko Hamada, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Countervailing duties are imposed when material injury or the threat of material injury exists by reason of subsidized imports. Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
The company asserts all materials are free of formaldehyde, PVC, and BPA. Tanya Edwards, Parents, 13 Mar. 2024 Director Bong is expected to put his own trademark spin on the source material, with the film also starring Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 This denim dress comes in sizes up to 16 and is constructed from a comfortable denim material in two washes. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 Such garments are often sourced from scrap materials, including yoga mats and leftover fabrics from other costumes. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Signs must be made of a soft material that can be folded (e.g. poster board or cloth). Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 Another potential point of exposure is during processing and packaging when equipment and materials tainted with lead can contaminate the cinnamon. Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Clec, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024 But researchers say using retroreflective materials would have a more powerful cooling effect. Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Key Background Trump has been indicted on 40 federal felony charges in the documents case, which stems from White House documents—including classified materials—that Trump took back with him to Mar-a-Lago after leaving office. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 1 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 18 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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