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.
Both are considered critical raw materials by the United States, the European Union, China and Japan. David Yusufu Kibingila, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025 The exposure is real: Ford’s sprawling supply chain relies heavily on imports of auto parts and raw materials, particularly from Mexico, Canada, and China. Catherine Baab, Quartz, 6 May 2025 And the many that import raw materials and parts far outnumber those that make goods in the U.S., staffing officials said. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 2 May 2025 The other issue is that Trump’s tariffs are raising the costs for the raw materials to build the satellites. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 May 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Raw material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raw%20material. Accessed 1 Jun. 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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