material

I UK [məˈtɪərɪəl] / US [məˈtɪrɪəl] noun
Word forms "material":
singular material plural materials
***

1) [countable/uncountable] cloth

Her dress was made of a thin lacy material.

heavy material for making curtains

2)

a) [uncountable] a substance, especially one used for a particular purpose

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

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

radioactive/organic material

All waste material is recycled where possible.

3)

a) [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.

b) an entertainer's songs, jokes etc

The concert will include material from their new album.

4) [countable/uncountable] documents etc that are used for a particular activity

publicity material

Staff are expected to produce their own teaching materials.

5) [uncountable] someone who is suitable for a particular job or situation

He wasn't really officer material.

II UK [məˈtɪərɪəl] / US [məˈtɪrɪəl] adjective *

1) [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.

•

Collocations:
Nouns frequently used with material
▪  goods, possessions, prosperity, resources, rewards, wealth, well-being

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

the material universe

3)

a) 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.

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

A bag containing ammunition was the only material evidence.