Collins English-English Dictionary

substance ['s^bstəns]

1. 1. n the tangible matter of which a thing consists

2. 2. n a specific type of matter, esp a homogeneous material with a definite composition

3. 3. n the essence, meaning, etc, of a written or spoken thought

4. 4. n solid or meaningful quality

5. 5. n material density

   a vacuum has no substance

6. 6. n material possessions or wealth

   a man of substance

7. 7. n [Philosophy] the supposed immaterial substratum that can receive modifications and in which attributes and accidents inhere

8. 8. n a thing considered as a continuing whole that survives the changeability of its properties

9. 9. n [Christian Science] that which is eternal

10. 10. n a euphemistic term for any illegal drug

11. 11. n [Etymology] C13: via Old French from Latin substantia, from substare, from sub- + stare to stand