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 mill

—C. A. Koepke

broadly : something with a potential for improvement, development, or elaboration

perplexities are often the raw material of discoveries

—Agnes M. Clerke

Synonyms

• making
• material
• stuff
• substance
• timber

Examples of raw material in a Sentence

His experiences during the war were the raw material for the story.

Recent Examples on the Web

Salted anchovy is the most important raw material to create traditional fish sauce - the spirit of Vietnamese cuisine. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2024

Lightweight cooling fabric Another way to minimize the use of raw materials and save on energy and shipping costs is to develop more cooling performance fabric that is lighter weight. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 10 Sep. 2024

Over time, requiring the siting of battery-recycling facilities in Europe will enhance European access to battery materials in the future while decreasing China’s control over the raw materials needed for the clean energy transition. —Liana Fix, Foreign Affairs, 5 Sep. 2024

Turmeric, Bioperine black pepper extract Serving Size: 1 capsule, one to three times daily Third-Party Tested: All raw materials and finished products are third-party tested for purity and potency by third-party laboratories. —Kelsey Kunik, Rd, Health, 10 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

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