matériel

or ma·te·ri·el

[ muh-teer-ee-el ]

/ məˌtɪər iˈɛl /

Save This Word!

noun

the aggregate of things used or needed in any business, undertaking, or operation (distinguished from personnel).

Military. arms, ammunition, and equipment in general.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of matériel

From French, dating back to 1805–15; see origin at material

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH matériel

material, matériel

Words nearby matériel

material mode, materials, materials handling, materials science, materia medica, matériel, maternal, maternalize, maternity, maternity benefit, maternity leave

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use matériel in a sentence

Zaharchenko on Friday night projected defiance rather than bravado, no doubt buoyed by the Moscow-sent materiel and fighters.
Ukraine Rebels Boast About Troops and Tanks Coming from Russia|Jamie Dettmer|August 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The list of requested materiel provides a window into a hollow and outmatched Ukrainian military.
U.S. Waited Months to Send Ukraine Spare Tires|Eli Lake|May 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once wars start, the materiel is used up pretty quickly—and then needs to be replaced.
Shares of defense contractors rise as Syria tensions mount|Sarah Langs|August 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
All then after World War II, our manufacturers shifted from war materiel to making stuff for ordinary people and consumers again.
3 Ways to Reinvent America|Randall Lane|January 25, 2011|DAILY BEAST

In Afghanistan there is a NATO consensus that withdrawal is not an option and that more men and materiel will need to be deployed.
Europe, Be Careful What You Ask For|Andrew Neil|November 2, 2008|DAILY BEAST
We must join to our doctrine political interests which will consolidate it, and keep together the materiel of my armies.
Catherine de' Medici|Honore de Balzac
And if this be so, the question as to what should be the materiel of education, becomes singularly simplified.
The Stones of Venice, Volume III (of 3)|John Ruskin
Had the materiel of battle not failed, who can say that the Americans would not have maintained their position?
Great Events in the History of North and South America|Charles A. Goodrich
The minister of agriculture has recently established a special laboratory for testing agricultural materiel.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 787, January 31, 1891|Various
In the conduct of hostilities against a strong and determined enemy, men and materiel do not always function at their best.
Sound Military Decision|U.s. Naval War College

British Dictionary definitions for matériel

materiel

matriel

/ (məˌtɪərɪˈɛl) /

noun

the materials and equipment of an organization, esp of a military forceCompare personnel

Word Origin for materiel

C19: from French: material

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012