raw material

American  

noun

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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of raw material

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Obtaining dollars to buy raw materials like oil, flour or rice to then refine and process became Kazin’s chief preoccupation.

From MarketWatch

Environmental concerns and the White House’s push to boost domestic production of raw materials have turned attention to America’s waste stream, which is full of valuable commodities.

From The Wall Street Journal

BlueScope has been expanding the North Star operation, where it turns raw materials into hot rolled steel for American automotive and construction companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile the prices index continued to expand at the same pace as in November, indicating that raw materials prices increased for the 15th straight month.

From The Wall Street Journal

Technology, services and human capital long ago displaced agriculture and raw materials as the drivers of American wealth.

From The Wall Street Journal