As a noun:
* Physical substance: "The architect chose durable materials for the building, like steel and concrete."
* Information or data: "The journalist gathered a lot of material for her article on the election."
* Fabric or cloth: "She bought some soft, luxurious material for her new dress."
* Content of a book, movie, etc.: "The movie's material was based on a true story."
* Subject matter: "The course covered a lot of material on the history of art."
As an adjective:
* Relating to physical matter: "The material world is full of challenges."
* Of great importance: "The meeting was of material significance to the company's future."
* Basic or essential: "The material needs of the refugees were met by the charity."
In phrases:
* "Material girl/boy" - a person who is obsessed with material possessions.
* "Material world" - the physical world, as opposed to the spiritual or intellectual.
* "Material evidence" - physical objects that prove something.
Examples in context:
* "The artist used recycled materials to create her sculptures." (Physical substance)
* "The professor's lectures provided a wealth of material for my research paper." (Information)
* "The material of her sweater felt incredibly soft and cozy." (Fabric)
* "The movie's material was so compelling that I couldn't look away." (Content)
* "The job was a material improvement over her previous one." (Important)
* "He focused on his material needs, ensuring he had food and shelter." (Basic)
The specific meaning of "material" will depend on the context of the sentence.