The term “material” has different meanings, including supplies for a functioning army, assets for a business, and goods in the shipping industry. Military material includes weapons, ammunition, and medical supplies. The word originated from French with Latin roots and is crucial for a stable supply chain. In civilian enterprises, it refers to goods that keep the business going. In shipping, the distinction between material and cargo belonging to the company is important for taxation and pricing.
The term “material” is used in several slightly different ways. In the original sense, it refers to all the supplies needed to keep a functioning army working, from tanks to bandages. Civilians have also adopted the term to refer more generally to the assets that keep a business going, whether or not the business has military ties. In the shipping industry, the term “material” is used to distinguish between goods in motion and the property of the shipping company.
This word comes from French, with Latin roots, like most French words, and was originally borrowed in 1814. It was later borrowed again and changed to “material”, making it one of many words in the English language which shares a root with another word. The first documented examples of this word appear in military contexts, with other meanings acquired later.
Military material is incredibly diverse. It includes weapons, ammunition, fuel, medical supplies, food, vehicles, and personal effects, such as bedding, boots, and so on. The military relies heavily on a stable material supply chain and a reliable source of material. While an army is actively engaged in maneuvers, it is crucial to have an uninterrupted supply of materiel, making supply chain security a priority for military forces, especially during invasions. A standing army also has a large demand for materiel, reflecting the sheer number of people who are always ready to deploy as needed and the constant need for equipment used in training.
In the sense of assets that keep a civilian enterprise going, this word is used in much the same sense. Both civilians and the military distinguish between material and immovable property or installations; an army base or office, for example, is not considered material, but the supplies that store it are certainly material. For civilians, access to the goods they need isn’t as critical, but it can still be important, and blockages in the supply chain can cost time and money.
In supply chain management and shipping, the distinction between the material and the goods belonging to the company is important. For example, some companies treat shipping containers as material, delivering cargo in these containers and indicating that the containers are the property of the consignee or sender, while others expect the containers to be returned. Material and cargo belonging to the shipping company may also be taxed and priced differently, making the distinction quite critical.
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