materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce materialize (audio)
materialized; materializing

transitive verb

1
a
: to make material : objectify
b
: to cause to appear in bodily form
materialize the spirits of the dead
2
: to cause to be materialistic

intransitive verb

1
: to assume bodily form
2
a
: to appear especially suddenly
b
: to come into existence
materializer noun

Examples of materialize in a Sentence

A waiter suddenly materialized beside our table. Rain clouds materialized on the horizon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And then, in early October, an altogether different project materialized—one that came from outside of the organization. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024 Cruz has explored fights with fellow legend Jose Aldo in recent months, but nothing materialized. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Should Trump secure a win, for example, tariffs on Mexican imports could return, but the Mexican peso has already taken a hit against the U.S. dollar in recent months, possibly limiting further declines should such policies materialize. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 Decades later, a fragment of that dream has begun to materialize, and residential towers with Space Age names — Evo, Aven, E11even — occupy former parking lots. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for materialize 

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of materialize was in 1710

Dictionary Entries Near materialize

Cite this Entry

“Materialize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialize. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

materialize

verb
ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce materialize (audio)
materialized; materializing
1
: to give material form and substance to
2
: to assume or cause to assume bodily form
a ghost materialized out of nowhere
3
a
: to come into existence
a promise that never materialized
b
: to appear suddenly

More from Merriam-Webster on materialize

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