Definition of substance:

• the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; " the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; " the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; " the nub of the story"
• what a communication that is about something is about
• the idea that is intended; " What is the meaning of this proverb?"
• the stuff of which an object consists
• Same as Hypostasis, 2.
• That which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; that in which properties inhere; that which is real, in distinction from that which is apparent; the abiding part of any existence, in distinction from any accident; that which constitutes anything what it is; real or existing essence.
• The most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport.
• Body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile fabrics have little substance.
• Material possessions; estate; property; resources.
• To furnish or endow with substance; to supply property to; to make rich.
• Matter, stuff, material.
• Substance.
• That in which qualities or attributes exist: that which constitutes anything what it is: the essential part: body: matter: property.
• That in which qualities exist; essential part; body; matter; property.
• The material of which anything is made.
• The essential part; brief summary; solid basis.
• A real thing with qualities; material body; substantiality; the essential part; goods; estate; means of living; the assumed substratum of qualities.
• The essence or material of a thing; the main part; that which really exists; body; something real or solid; goods; wealth; means of living.

Usage examples for substance

1. Christopher has become a man of substance.  A Red Wallflower by Susan Warner

2. She would have slipped away if she could, but she was a woman of substance, and as solid in flesh as she was warm of heart.  The Deserter by Charles King

3. Is it a shadow, or a substance?  The Canadian Commonwealth by Agnes C. Laut

4. For months her commander had been searching for one ultra- precious substance.  Triplanetary by Edward Elmer Smith