substrate (Noun) — The substance that is acted upon by an enzyme or ferment.
substrate (Noun) — A surface on which an organism grows or is attached. ex. "the gardener talked about the proper substrate for acid-loving plants"
substrate (Noun) — Any stratum or layer lying underneath another.
substrate (Noun) — An indigenous language that contributes features to the language of an invading people who impose their language on the indigenous population. ex. "the Celtic languages of Britain are a substrate for English"