/ ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt; NAmE -tuːt/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
substitute (for sb/sth) a person or thing that you use or have instead of the one you normally use or have :
a meat substitute
Paul's father only saw him as a substitute for his dead brother.
a substitute family
The course teaches you the theory but there's no substitute for practical experience.
The local bus service was a poor substitute for their car.
2.
(also informal sub ) a player who replaces another player in a sports game :
He was brought on as (a) substitute after half-time.
■ verb
substitute A (for B) | substitute B (with / by A) | substitute for sb/sth to take the place of sb/sth else; to use sb/sth instead of sb/sth else :
[ v ]
Nothing can substitute for the advice your doctor is able to give you.
[ vn ]
Margarine can be substituted for butter in this recipe.
Butter can be substituted with margarine in this recipe.
Beckham was substituted in the second half after a knee injury (= somebody else played instead of Beckham in the second half) .
HELP NOTE : When for , with or by are not used, as in the last example, it can be difficult to tell whether the person or thing mentioned is being used, or has been replaced by somebody or something else. The context will usually make this clear.
► sub·sti·tu·tion / ˌsʌbstɪˈtjuːʃn; NAmE -ˈtuː-/ noun [ U , C ]:
the substitution of low-fat spreads for butter
Two substitutions were made during the game.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting a deputy or delegate): from Latin substitutus put in place of, past participle of substituere , based on statuere set up.