1ma·te·ri·al 
/məˈtirijəl/ noun
plural ma·te·ri·als /məˈtirijəl/ noun 1 a : a substance from which something is made or can be made [count] ▪ building materials ▪ paper, plastic, or other materials [noncount] ▪ small pieces of material ▪ hard material like stone — see also raw material
b : a substance that has a particular quality [count] ▪ a sticky material ▪ explosive materials [noncount] ▪ genetic material 2 : something used in doing a particular activity [count] — usually plural ▪ writing/reference materials [noncount] ▪ She was never without reading material. 3 [noncount] : cloth or fabric
▪ The curtains required yards of expensive material. 4 [noncount] : information or ideas
▪ He has been gathering material for a new biography. ▪ The revised edition includes a large amount of new material. ▪ The comedian gets his material from things that have happened to him. 5 [noncount] : a person who is suited to a particular position or job
▪ Her boss regards her as executive material. [=as someone who would make a good executive] ▪ My parents never felt that I was college material. [=that I was someone who should go to college]
b : a substance that has a particular quality [count] ▪ a sticky material ▪ explosive materials [noncount] ▪ genetic material
▪ The curtains required yards of expensive material.
▪ He has been gathering material for a new biography. ▪ The revised edition includes a large amount of new material. ▪ The comedian gets his material from things that have happened to him.
▪ Her boss regards her as executive material. [=as someone who would make a good executive] ▪ My parents never felt that I was college material. [=that I was someone who should go to college]
