raw material

Definition

A material in its unprocessed, natural state considered usable for manufacture.

Example Sentences

• "Petroleum is the raw material refined into various fuels and needed for countless chemicals."
• "The three main firms […] are increasing their output capacity and it is estimated that by 1964-5 railborne traffic will be about a third greater than the 1960 figure, reaching a total of something like 13½ million tons per annum, of which some 70 per cent will be inwards raw materials for these firms."
• "The assembly plant's raw materials are finished parts from Asian suppliers."