material

ma|te|ri|al1 [ mə`tıriəl ] noun ***

▸ 1 cloth

▸ 2 substances (for something)

▸ 3 for book/movie/song

▸ 4 things used for activity

▸ 5 someone appropriate for something

1. ) count or uncount cloth:

Her dress was made of a thin lacy material.

heavy material for making curtains

2. ) a substance, especially one used for a particular purpose:

Brick was used as the main building material for local churches.

a ) a substance, especially one that has a particular quality:

radioactive/organic material

All waste material is recycled where possible.

3. ) uncount information, ideas, and experiences that you use as the subject of a book, movie, song, etc.:

Newspaper articles are a good source of material for stories.

a ) an entertainer's songs, jokes, etc:

The concert will include material from their new album.

4. ) count or uncount documents, etc. that are used for a particular activity:

publicity material

Professors are expected to furnish their own teaching materials.

5. ) uncount someone who is appropriate for a particular job or situation:

He wasn't really officer material.

material

ma|te|ri|al 2 [ mə`tıriəl ] adjective *

1. ) important enough to notice or to have an effect:

This situation will continue unless there is a material change in conditions.

material to: Any information material to the patient's decision should be revealed.

a ) LEGAL used about things or people that are important in a legal case:

A bag containing ammunition was the only material evidence.

2. ) only before noun relating to the physical world that people experience directly, rather than the world of the imagination or thoughts:

the material universe

3. ) only before noun relating to things such as money and possessions that affect your physical life rather than your thoughts or emotions:

State officials enjoy more material rewards than other sectors.