Materiel (not to be confused with material) refers to an organization or institution's equipment, apparatus, and supplies. As commonly used, these organizations are almost always military in nature, so materiel refers to weapons, armour, tanks, ammunition and the like.

Ma`té`ri`el" (?), n. [F. See Material.]

That in a complex system which constitutes the materials, or instruments employed, in distinction from the personnel, or men; as, the baggage, munitions, provisions, etc., of an army; or the buildings, libraries, and apparatus of a college, in distinction from its officers.

 

© Webster 1913.