substance

noun sub·stance \ˈsəb-stən(t)s\

: a material of a particular kind

: a drug that is considered harmful and whose use is controlled by law or made illegal

: the quality of being meaningful, useful, or important

Full Definition of SUBSTANCE

a : essential nature : essence

b : a fundamental or characteristic part or quality

c Christian Science : god 1b

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>

a : physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence

b : matter of particular or definite chemical constitution

c : something (as drugs or alcoholic beverages) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction <possession of a controlled substance> <substance abuse>

: material possessions : property <a family of substance>

— sub·stance·less \-ləs\ adjective

— in substance

: in respect to essentials : fundamentally

See substance defined for English-language learners

See substance defined for kids

Origin of SUBSTANCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin substantia, from substant-, substans, present participle of substare to stand under, from sub- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUBSTANCE

Synonyms: material, raw material, stuff, making, timber

SUBSTANCE Defined for Kids

substance

noun sub·stance \ˈsəb-stəns\

Definition of SUBSTANCE for Kids

: material of a certain kind <an oily substance>

: the most basic or important part or quality <The books differ in both style and substance.>

: material belongings : wealth <a person of substance>

Medical Dictionary

substance

noun sub·stance \ˈsəb-stən(t)s\

Medical Definition of SUBSTANCE

: physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence <the substance of nerve tissue>

: matter of particular or definite chemical constitution

: something (as alcohol, methamphetamine, or marijuana) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction <heroin is a controlled substance> <substance abuse>