substance meaning and definition

SUBSTANCE noun

Definition of substance (noun)

1. the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
   • "DNA is the substance of our genes"
2. 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"
   • synonyms: center, centre, core, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meat, nitty-gritty, nub, pith, sum
3. the idea that is intended
   • "What is the meaning of this proverb?"
   • synonyms: meaning
4. material of a particular kind or constitution
   • "the immune response recognizes invading substances"
5. considerable capital (wealth or income)
   • "he is a man of means"
   • synonyms: means
6. what a communication that is about something is about
   • synonyms: content, message, subject matter
7. a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties
   • "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"