Definitions for substance
ˈsʌb stənssub·stance

Princeton's WordNet(3.41 / 17 votes)Rate this definition:

1. substance(noun)

   the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists

   "DNA is the substance of our genes"

2. kernel, substance, core, center, centre, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty(noun)

   the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

   "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"

3. meaning, substance(noun)

   the idea that is intended

   "What is the meaning of this proverb?"

4. substance(noun)

   material of a particular kind or constitution

   "the immune response recognizes invading substances"

5. means, substance(noun)

   considerable capital (wealth or income)

   "he is a man of means"

6. message, content, subject matter, substance(noun)

   what a communication that is about something is about

7. substance(noun)

   a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties

   "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"

Wiktionary(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. substance(Noun)

   Physical matter; material.

2. substance(Noun)

   The essential part of anything; the most vital part.

3. substance(Noun)

   Considerable wealth or resources.

   A man of substance.

4. substance(Noun)

   Drugs

   substance abuse

Origin: From substance, from substantia, from substans, present active participle of substo, from sub + sto.

Webster Dictionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Substance(noun)

   that which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; that in which properties inhere; that which is real, in distinction from that which is apparent; the abiding part of any existence, in distinction from any accident; that which constitutes anything what it is; real or existing essence

2. Substance(noun)

   the most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport

3. Substance(noun)

   body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile fabrics have little substance

4. Substance(noun)

   material possessions; estate; property; resources

5. Substance(noun)

   same as Hypostasis, 2

6. Substance(verb)

   to furnish or endow with substance; to supply property to; to make rich

Origin: [F., fr. L. substantia, fr. substare to be under or present, to stand firm; sub under + stare to stand. See Stand.]

Freebase(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Substance

   Substance is a 1987 compilation album by New Order, consisting of all of the band's singles at that point in their 12-inch versions, together with their respective B-side tracks. The then newly-released non-album single "True Faith" is also featured, along with its B-side "1963". The collection was released on vinyl, double CD, double cassette and Digital Audio Tape.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Substance

   sub′stans, n. that in which qualities or attributes exist, the existence to which qualities belong: that which constitutes anything what it is: the essential part: body: matter: property: foundation, ground, confidence. [L. substantia—substāre, to stand under—sub, under, stāre, to stand.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'substance' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4155

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'substance' in Nouns Frequency: #1238

How to pronounce substance?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say substance in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of substance in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of substance in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of substance in a Sentence

1. Cometan:

   To have imagination, is too to have substance.

2. California Civil Code, "Maxims of Jurisprudence":

   #3528. The law respects form less than substance.

3. Charles Lieberman:

   It's more in the nature of psychology than real substance.

4. Aesop:

   Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

5. Franz Kafka:

   My fear... is my substance, and probably the best part of me.

Images & Illustrations of substance

Popularity rank by frequency of use