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material

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noun British English pronunciation: material /məˈtɪəriəl/ 
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singularmaterial
pluralmaterials
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Related dictionary definitions

 
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] cloth

    Her dress was made of a thin lacy material.

    heavy material for making curtains

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of material
  2. 2
    [uncountable] a substance, especially one used for a particular purpose

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

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of material
    1. a.
      a substance, especially one that has a particular quality

      radioactive/organic material

      All waste material is recycled where possible.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of material
  3. 3
    [uncountable] information, ideas, and experiences that you use as the subject of a book, film, song etc

    Newspaper articles are a good source of material for stories.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of material
    1. a.
      an entertainer's songs, jokes etc

      The concert will include material from their new album.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of material
  4. 4
    [countable/uncountable] documents etc that are used for a particular activity

    publicity material

    Staff are expected to produce their own teaching materials.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of material

This is the British English definition of material. View American English definition of material.

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