Material cause refers to the physical substance or matter that makes up an object. In philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle, it is one of the four causes that explain why a thing exists. For example, the material cause of a wooden table is the wood itself, as it is the essential material that gives the table its form and function. Understanding material cause helps us grasp how objects are constructed and what they are made of. In everyday life, recognizing the material cause can influence choices, such as selecting furniture based on the type of wood or metal used, which affects durability and aesthetics.