Definitions of material:

• noun:   things needed for doing or making something

  Example: "Writing materials"

• noun:   information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form

  Example: "The archives provided rich material for a definitive biography"

• noun:   a person judged suitable for admission or employment

  Example: "He was university material"

• noun:   the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object

  Example: "Coal is a hard black material"

• noun:   artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

  Example: "She measured off enough material for a dress"

• adjective:   directly relevant to a matter especially a law case

  Example: "His support made a material difference"

• adjective:   concerned with or affecting physical as distinct from intellectual or psychological well-being

  Example: "Material needs"

• adjective:   concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

  Example: "Material possessions"

• adjective:   derived from or composed of matter

  Example: "The material universe"

• adjective:   having material or physical form or substance
• adjective:   having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary