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
Richard Reeves3
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
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
Recent Examples on the Web
And if there are any more problems because of her substance abuse, all bets will be off.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
In the book, Vance recounted a turbulent childhood, his mother's struggle with substance use disorder and the life-changing influence of his grandmother, known to him as Mamaw.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Breslin ran on a platform focused on reducing violent crime and reducing incarceration for nonviolent offenders with substance abuse and mental health issues.
—Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024
Williams' Time as Mayor of Huntingdon Williams, 60, has served as Huntington's mayor since 2012, implementing strategies to address substance abuse, including establishing the state's first citywide Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP).
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for substance 
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Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
In the book, Vance recounted a turbulent childhood, his mother's struggle with substance use disorder and the life-changing influence of his grandmother, known to him as Mamaw.
—Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
Breslin ran on a platform focused on reducing violent crime and reducing incarceration for nonviolent offenders with substance abuse and mental health issues.
—Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024
Williams' Time as Mayor of Huntingdon Williams, 60, has served as Huntington's mayor since 2012, implementing strategies to address substance abuse, including establishing the state's first citywide Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP).
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for substance
Dictionary Entries Near substance
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substance. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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