matériel

noun

ma·​té·​ri·​el mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈel 

variants or materiel

: equipment, apparatus, and supplies used by an organization or institution

Synonyms

• accoutrements
• accouterments
• apparatus
• equipment
• gear
• hardware
• kit [chiefly British]
• material(s)
• outfit
• paraphernalia
• stuff
• tackle

Examples of matériel in a Sentence

the army is running short of clothing and other matériel

Recent Examples on the Web

Several former Chinese fighters have described harsh conditions and subpar materiel at the front. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025

In exchange, Assad allowed Iran to use his country to build its regional network, giving it control of warehouses and airports and permitting it to move money and materiel bound for Iranian proxies across Syrian territory and airspace. —Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2025

In exchange, Assad allowed Iran to use his country to build its regional network, giving it control of warehouses and airports and permitting it to move money and materiel bound for Iranian proxies across Syrian territory and airspace. —Dana Stroul, Foreign Affairs, 2 Apr. 2025

Under the current system, in which countries compete with one another for parts and supplies—thereby driving up the prices of defense materiel—Europe will fail. —Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025

The inescapable conclusion is that mass—that is, having more forces or materiel than an enemy—is important. —Stacie L. Pettyjohn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2025

The Russian armed forces have burned through much of the materiel inherited from the Soviet era; thousands of Russian tanks, armored vehicles, artillery pieces, and other military equipment have been destroyed in Ukraine. —Andrew Kosenko, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2025

Abu Anwar, a 30-year-old official with the new government, came with a team of rebels to inspect the site for materiel. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Basic lessons of the Bulge include personnel, materiel and leadership. —Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French matériel, from matériel, adjective

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

matériel

noun

ma·​té·​ri·​el

variants or materiel

mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈel 

: equipment and supplies used by a group or organization

Etymology

French