materiel
C1/C2Formal, Technical, Military
Definition
Meaning
The physical equipment and supplies of a military force, such as weapons, vehicles, ammunition, and provisions.
The apparatus, equipment, and supplies, including software, used by any organized body or institution (e.g., a corporation, hospital, or university) to carry out its operations. In computing, it can refer to hardware.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A French loanword (from matériel) typically contrasted with 'personnel'. Primarily a mass noun. Its use emphasizes the tangible, often technical, resources as a collective whole. Can sound pretentious if used in everyday contexts where simpler terms like 'equipment' or 'gear' suffice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning but slightly more common in UK English due to stronger French influence. In the US, it is overwhelmingly confined to military and certain technical/business contexts.
Connotations
UK: May have a slightly broader academic or business application (e.g., 'hospital materiel'). US: Strongly and almost exclusively connotes military hardware and logistics.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but relatively higher in UK professional jargon. Virtually absent from everyday speech in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N + of + materiel (e.g., 'transport of materiel')ADJ + materiel (e.g., 'essential materiel')materiel + N (e.g., 'materiel command')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “materiel and personnel (common contrasting pair)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; used in supply chain or logistics contexts for major physical assets.
Academic
Used in military history, political science (resources of war), and sociology of organizations.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound unusual or affected.
Technical
Core term in military science, logistics, and some engineering fields for physical components.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The soldiers checked their equipment.
- The army has big trucks.
- The general was responsible for both personnel and equipment.
- Modern armies need a lot of supplies.
- The convoy was carrying essential military supplies to the front line.
- A breakdown in logistics can leave troops without necessary gear.
- The success of the campaign depended not just on strategy but on the uninterrupted flow of materiel.
- The Materiel Command was tasked with the procurement and maintenance of all hardware.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the French word for 'material' (matériel). It's all the physical 'material' stuff an army needs, not the people.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ORGANIZATION IS A BODY: Materiel is the body's tools and limbs; personnel is its mind and will.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'material' as in fabric or substance (материал).
- In Russian military context, 'материальная часть' (matarial'naya chast') is a close equivalent.
- Avoid using for abstract 'material' like 'research material' (исследовательский материал).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'material'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a materiel').
- Using it in non-technical contexts where 'equipment' is better.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'materiel' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While etymologically related, 'materiel' refers specifically to the equipment and apparatus of an organization, especially military. 'Material' is a much broader term for substance or information.
Only with caution. It's appropriate in contexts like heavy industry, logistics, or hospital management where distinguishing physical assets from human resources is crucial. In most business writing, 'equipment', 'assets', or 'supplies' are preferable.
Stress the final syllable: muh-TEER-ee-EL (UK) or muh-TIR-ee-EL (US). The middle 'i' is short, like in 'sit'.
The primary antonym is 'personnel', as the classic dichotomy is between the physical resources (materiel) and the human resources (personnel) of an organization.
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