substance
noun
sub·stance
ˈsəb-stən(t)s 
1
a
: essential nature : essence
b
: a fundamental or characteristic part or quality
c
Christian Science
: god sense 1b
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
Richard Reeves3
a
: physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence
b
: matter of particular or definite chemical constitution
c
: something (such 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
Examples of substance in a Sentence
The pancreas secretes a substance called insulin.
The floor was covered with a white, powdery substance that turned out to be flour.
heroin and other illegal substances
He had a history of substance abuse.
When has he ever said anything of substance?
The results of the study give substance to their theory.
the substance of my argument
Recent Examples on the Web
Atmospheric principles and folktales, spirit and substance, opposites and inversions.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
These delays occur in males born with a deficiency in aromatase, a substance that makes the hormone estrogen.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
For the monks or clerics, it is presented as a material substance, carried like a sack of gold on the demon’s back; the metaphors used are monetary or economic, as though the monks owe ordered syllables to God instead of the monetary tithe their vows of poverty render unnecessary.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
The One Thing That Hasn’t Changed Risk-taking in adolescence has historically taken many forms—from substance use to unsupervised social activities.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
These delays occur in males born with a deficiency in aromatase, a substance that makes the hormone estrogen.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
For the monks or clerics, it is presented as a material substance, carried like a sack of gold on the demon’s back; the metaphors used are monetary or economic, as though the monks owe ordered syllables to God instead of the monetary tithe their vows of poverty render unnecessary.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
The One Thing That Hasn’t Changed Risk-taking in adolescence has historically taken many forms—from substance use to unsupervised social activities.
—Hannah Silverman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substance
Cite this Entry
“Substance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substance. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
substance
noun
sub·stance
ˈsəb-stən(t)s
1
a
: essential nature : essence
divine substance
b
: the fundamental or essential part, quality, or meaning
the substance of the speech
2
a
: physical material from which something is made
b
: material of particular or definite chemical constitution
an oily substance
c
: something (as drugs or alcoholic beverages) considered harmful and usually subject to legal restriction
substance abuse
3
: material possessions : property
a person of substance
Medical Definition
substance
noun
sub·stance
ˈsəb-stən(t)s
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share