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Synonyms

raw material

American  

noun

  1. material before being processed or manufactured into a final form.


raw material British  

noun

  1. material on which a particular manufacturing process is carried out

  2. a person or thing regarded as suitable for some particular purpose

    raw material for the army

"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

Etymology

Origin of raw material

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In theory, that diversity should provide enough raw material for continued adaptation.

From Science Daily Sep. 4, 2026

And in Germany, steel giant Thyssenkrupp warned that record-low levels on the Rhine were threatening raw material deliveries, echoing industry warnings that the waterway could soon become unnavigable.

From Barron's Aug. 14, 2026

Researchers need the raw material to build on.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 6, 2026

As with locations and production design, Ellis’ novel provided much of the raw material the costume department needed.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 5, 2026

Groves’s order reduced K-25 to a supplemental source of raw material for the Beta calutrons of Y-12.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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