material

/mə-ˈtir-ē-əl/

Middle English materiel, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin materialis, from Latin materia matter

adjective

  1. relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter; especially : physical

  2. bodily

  3. of or relating to matter rather than form

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. physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

noun

  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

  3. something (such as data) that may be worked into a more finished form

noun

  1. crude or processed material that can be converted by manufacture, processing, or combination into a new and useful product; broadly : something with a potential for improvement, development, or elaboration

wheat … is raw material for the flour mill