1a particular kind of matter with uniform properties:a steel tube coated with a waxy substance
an intoxicating, stimulating, or narcotic chemical or drug, especially an illegal one:he was suspended for using a banned substance [as modifier]:substance abuse
2 [mass noun] the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence:proteins compose much of the actual substance of the body
the most important or essential part of something; the real or essential meaning:the substance of the Maastricht Treaty
the subject matter of a text, speech, or work of art, especially as contrasted with the form or style in which it is presented:the movie is a triumph of style over substancethe substance of his book was the history of allegorical love literature
3 [mass noun] the quality of having a solid basis in reality or fact:the claim has no substance
the quality of being dependable or stable:some were inclined to knock her for her lack of substance
the quality of being important, valid, or significant:he had yet to accomplish anything of substance
wealth and possessions:a woman of substance
4 [mass noun] Philosophy the essential nature underlying phenomena, which is subject to changes and accidents.
in substance
essentially:basic rights are equivalent in substance to human rights
