raw material

noun

: crude or processed material that can be converted by manufacture, processing, or combination into a new and useful product
wheat … is raw material for the flour millC. A. Koepke
broadly : something with a potential for improvement, development, or elaboration
perplexities are often the raw material of discoveries Agnes M. Clerke

Examples of raw material in a Sentence

His experiences during the war were the raw material for the story.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The raw material for the inflation report - the price checks on hundreds of goods and services around the country - was collected in September. NPR, 25 Oct. 2025 Both designers cut and sewed directly manually, demonstrating their thorough knowledge of fabrics and their properties as the raw material for their architectural designs. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025 Shorter batteries cost less, weigh less, and consume fewer raw materials, all helping sustainability and industrial sovereignty. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025 Washington and its European allies, however, have pointed to the continuing flow of weapons components, raw materials, and other dual-use goods into Russia that could sustain its war machine. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raw material

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raw material was in 1612

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Cite this Entry

“Raw material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw%20material. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

raw material

noun
: something from which a useful or desirable product can be manufactured or produced
wheat and rye are the raw materials for a flour mill
collect raw material for writing a story

More from Merriam-Webster on raw material

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