First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
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
1
2
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>
3
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>
4
: material possessions : property <a family of substance>
— sub·stance·less \-ləs\ adjective
— in substance
: in respect to essentials : fundamentally
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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
Related to SUBSTANCE
- Synonyms
- material, raw material, stuff, making, timber
SUBSTANCELESS Defined for Kids
substance
noun sub·stance \ˈsəb-stəns\
Definition of SUBSTANCE for Kids
1
: material of a certain kind <an oily substance>
2
: the most basic or important part or quality <The books differ in both style and substance.>
3
: material belongings : wealth <a person of substance>
Medical Dictionary
substance
noun sub·stance \ˈsəb-stən(t)s\
Medical Definition of SUBSTANCE
1
: physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence <the substance of nerve tissue>
2
: matter of particular or definite chemical constitution
3
: something (as alcohol, methamphetamine, or marijuana) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction <heroin is a controlled substance> <substance abuse>
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