ma·te·ri·al
mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 
1
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
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
materialness
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
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
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
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
The Material Girl a devout fan and collector of Lempicka’s, herself a material girl from another age.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Amanda Musa, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Nanofibers are any fibrous material that are less than 100 nanometers (nm).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for material 
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Adjective
The company identified a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting related to the acquisition of Fintech, which management is addressing.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
The Material Girl a devout fan and collector of Lempicka’s, herself a material girl from another age.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
The state board revised the materials after the versions proposed in May faced heavy criticism, according to the Texas Education Agency.
—Amanda Musa, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Nanofibers are any fibrous material that are less than 100 nanometers (nm).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for material
Articles Related to material
Dictionary Entries Near material
Cite this Entry
“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/material. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˌtir-ē-ˈal-ət-ē
material
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
materially
adverb
material
2 of 2 noun
: something used for or made the object of consideration or study
specifically
: evidence see also brady material
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