Material is the substance or matter that something is made from. The material of a baseball bat might be wood or aluminum. A winter coat might be made from wool, while a summer dress uses cotton. When you're building something, choosing the right materials matters: you can't make a good roof from paper, and you wouldn't want a steel blanket.

The word can also mean relevant or important information. When you're writing a report about dolphins, you gather material by reading books, watching videos, and taking notes. The material you collect becomes the foundation of your work. A comedian collects material for jokes by observing everyday life and writing down funny observations.

In a different sense, material means significant or meaningful. If something makes a material difference, it actually matters and changes the outcome. Whether you study for a test makes a material difference in your grade. Whether you wear red socks or blue socks probably doesn't.

Material can also describe things related to physical possessions and money rather than ideas, relationships, or experiences. A materialistic person places a lot of importance on owning things.