capitalism

[ kap-i-tl-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

capitalism

/ ˈkæpɪtəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. See socialism
   Also calledfree enterpriseprivate enterprise an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange, characterized by the freedom of capitalists to operate or manage their property for profit in competitive conditions Compare socialism

capitalism

1. An economic and political system characterized by a free market for goods and services and private control of production and consumption. ( Compare socialism and communism .)

Other Words From

• anti·capi·tal·ism noun
• pro·capi·tal·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of capitalism¹

First recorded in 1850–55; capital ¹ + -ism

Example Sentences

It’s using capitalism as a vehicle to access data that can help it disrupt democratic processes and create a more favorable global environment for its power.

From MIT Technology Review

We are making capitalism for everyone, by doing it as well as anyone.

From Ozy

On the other hand, I could say the technology that is a result of our capitalism produces efficiency, which theoretically would require less energy, which would theoretically in the long run, create opportunities for more growth with less energy.

From Freakonomics

That’s one thing that distinguishes American capitalism from the more regulated and moderated capitalism you see in much of Europe and in Canada.

From Freakonomics

Eventually, the rise of western liberalism, with its prioritization of the individual, capitalism and consumerism led to a new “face politics.”

From No Straight News

Neither Smith nor Marx can carry us far into the guts of globalized financial capitalism.

From The Daily Beast

He expected European capitalism to evolve spontaneously into a market socialism of worker-owned cooperatives.

From The Daily Beast

Democrats need to respond aggressively to the crony capitalism practiced by many Republicans, particularly regarding Wall Street.

From The Daily Beast

By the implicit laws of capitalism, I'm pretty sure this makes Bieber the new commander in chief.

From The Daily Beast

The book rejects capitalism, market mechanisms, and even, seemingly, profit motives and corporate governance.

From The Daily Beast

He has been doing it all his life: making an example of social victims, the victims of his own class, of capitalism.

From Project Gutenberg

I had attempted the life of a great magnate; in him capitalism felt itself attacked.

From Project Gutenberg

And step by step, as the processes of capitalism culminated, this war increased in bitterness and intensity.

From Project Gutenberg

It is apparently forgotten that capitalism ruled by hereditary power.

From Project Gutenberg

In Russia and China, there was the frenzied resistance to capitalism.

From Project Gutenberg