material culture

noun

, Sociology.

1. the aggregate of physical objects or artifacts used by a society.

Word History and Origins

Origin of material culture¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Young is a collector, a “real material culture person,” Alexander adds.

From Washington Post

A spiritual culture can be anarchical, a material culture must be disciplined.

From MIT Technology Review

The objects that early humans made and used, known as the Middle Stone Age material culture, are found throughout much of Africa and include a vast range of innovations.

From Quartz

“This is the material culture of the Navy,” said Jay Thomas, assistant director for collection management at the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington.

From Washington Post

Richard Kurin was a 19-year-old anthropology student in India when he experienced his material culture epiphany.

From The Daily Beast

The natives of that country, when unspoiled by European influences, are almost on one level as to material culture.

From Project Gutenberg

It seems sanguine to look for the origins of totemism among tribes so advanced in material culture.

From Project Gutenberg

This omits certain items from what we are wont to call material culture, such as clothing, cradles, and the like.

From Project Gutenberg

But, in spite of the fact that he was happy and surrounded by the most advanced material culture, he sickened and died.

From Project Gutenberg

In the field of material culture, horse-breeding becomes more and more evident.

From Project Gutenberg