raw material

noun

: crude or processed material that can be converted by manufacture, processing, or combination into a new and useful product
wheat … is raw material for the flour millC. A. Koepke
broadly : something with a potential for improvement, development, or elaboration
perplexities are often the raw material of discoveries Agnes M. Clerke

Examples of raw material in a Sentence

His experiences during the war were the raw material for the story.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As per the plan, Moncler achieved the traceability of strategic raw materials, and this also enabled more precise assessment and management of CO2 emissions, biodiversity, water and social impacts of sourcing. Luisa Zargani, WWD, 23 Dec. 2024 Climate change presents serious challenges for the American whiskey industry, impacting weather patterns and the availability of raw materials. Rachel King, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024 Walz had undermined his own access to raw materials, but his project had already succeeded, in the way that art often does, at drawing attention to the overlooked. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024 That could also come up in the broader discussion about minerals policy in the next Congress, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle looking for ways to boost domestic and friendly supplies of the raw materials needed for renewables and batteries. Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for raw material 

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raw material was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near raw material

Cite this Entry

“Raw material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw%20material. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

raw material

noun
: something from which a useful or desirable product can be manufactured or produced
wheat and rye are the raw materials for a flour mill
collect raw material for writing a story

More from Merriam-Webster on raw material

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