There are many possible definitions of matter.

In science, matter is the term for any type of

material. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. At a minimum, matter requires at
least one subatomic particle, although most matter consists of atoms. The word matter is
sometimes used to refer to a pure substance.

Examples of Matter
Matter can include any of the following (and more, of course):

Proton
Atoms (e.g., a helium atom)
Molecules (e.g., water, sugar)
Compounds (e.g., table salt, silicon dioxide)
Cat
Tree
House
Computer
Examples That Are Not Matter
Not everything we can perceive consists of matter. Examples of things that aren't matter include:

Photons (light)
Heat
Thoughts
Microwaves (the radiation, not the appliance)
Learn Something New Every Day
Discover surprising insights and little-known facts about politics, literature, science, and the
marvels of the natural world.
ONE-TAP SIGN UP
One good definition of matter is that it has mass and takes up space.
Matter Is Everywhere, But What Exactly Is It?
Diagram of states of matter
State of Matter Definition

dark matter blobs