From Longman Business Dictionarymaterials controlmaˈterials conˌtrolCOMMERCE1[uncountable] a system for checking that a company has enough materials in stock for its production needs, but is not storing more than it needs because this would use capital unnecessarilySYNSTOCK CONTROL BrE, INVENTORY CONTROL AmE2[uncountable] a system for checking the quality of materials bought by a company → control
