materialism
noun
ma·te·ri·al·ism
| \ mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌli-zəm
\
\
Definition of materialism
1a
: a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter (see matter entry 1 sense 2)
scientific materialism
b
: a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress
c
: a doctrine that economic or social change is materially caused — compare historical materialism
2
: a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things
materialism, hedonism, and the overriding quest for personal gratification— A. M. Schlesinger, Jr.
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Other Words from materialism
materialist
\ mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-list
\
noun or adjective
\
noun or adjective
Examples of materialism in a Sentence
the materialism of modern society
Recent Examples on the Web
The hajj in Islam is meant to unify Muslims, with pilgrims shedding displays of wealth and materialism. — Washington Post, "Over 2 million Muslims in Mecca for start of hajj pilgrimage," 10 Aug. 2019 Some kids in households with less disposable income had difficulty fitting in because materialism was key to assimilation. — Joshua Burrell, baltimoresun.com, "Joshua Burrell: Growing up black in Columbia," 1 Aug. 2019 As men of morals who define themselves against liberalism’s crassness, materialism, and lack of self-restraint, they either support or show sympathy for a presidential caricature of the Seven Deadly Sins. — Alexander Zaitchik, The New Republic, "Is Josh Hawley For Real?," 25 July 2019 Musicians are not unique here: In the years since the Reagan administration, a reveling in what used to be called heartless materialism has become de rigueur. — Scott Timberg, Vox, "How music has responded to a decade of economic inequality," 30 July 2018 Sociologists speculated that there was something unique about the empty materialism and stifling conformity of Japanese society that drove youngsters to look for an alternative. — The Economist, "On the hanging of Shoko Asahara, Japan’s nerve-gas guru," 12 July 2018 Is Prime Day a mildly craven capitalistic construct determined to invoke a Pavlovian FOMO response rooted in Western materialism? — The Editors Of Gq, GQ, "Amazon Prime Day 2018: Everything You Need to Know," 3 July 2018 Most people described luxury as a slowing down of time, enjoying life; less about materialism and more about emotional experience. — Mark Holgate, Vogue, "Jaime Pearlman Talks About the Cheap (and Chic) Thrills of Her New Magazine More or Less," 31 May 2018 Omnipotent police presence, children rioting, and the biblical reference of Death riding a pale white horse are all overlooked due to popularity of Black culture and messages that prioritize materialism over our survival. — Candace Mcduffie, Glamour, "Let's Acknowledge the Artists That Paved the Way for Donald Glover's 'This Is America'," 8 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'materialism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for materialism
materialism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of materialism
: a way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions rather than to spiritual or intellectual things
philosophy
: the belief that only material things exist
See the full definition for materialism in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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