materialism

[ muh-teer-ee-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values.
2. the philosophical theory that regards matter and its motions as constituting the universe, and all phenomena, including those of mind, as due to material agencies.

materialism

/ məˈtɪərɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. interest in and desire for money, possessions, etc, rather than spiritual or ethical values
2. philosophy the monist doctrine that matter is the only reality and that the mind, the emotions, etc, are merely functions of it Compare idealism dualism See also identity theory
3. ethics the rejection of any religious or supernatural account of things

materialism

1. In philosophy , the position that nothing exists except matter — things that can be measured or known through the senses. Materialists deny the existence of spirit, and they look for physical explanations for all phenomena. Thus, for example, they trace mental states to the brain or nervous system , rather than to the spirit or the soul. Marxism , because it sees human culture as the product of economic forces, is a materialist system of beliefs.

Derived Forms

• maˌterialˈistically, adverb
• maˈterialist, nounadjective
• maˌterialˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• anti·ma·teri·al·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of materialism¹

From the New Latin word māteriālismus, dating back to 1740–50. See material, -ism

Example Sentences

His images reveal his disdain for materialism, and the cost of greed.

From Los Angeles Times

I called it the influence of Hollywood because I was specifically looking at celebrity and image culture and materialism,” Greenfield said.

From Los Angeles Times

Herd said it can lead to issues with materialism and have environmental consequences, too, a bit like fast fashion.

From Slate

That faith once lost, was quickly replaced by the scientific method and materialism.

From Slate

But there's words that I've never used before, which were really difficult for me to learn when you have to say things like 'Commandant' or 'public execution' or 'dialectical materialism.'

From Salon