materialism
noun
ma·te·ri·al·ism
mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌli-zəm 
1
a
: 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.
A. M. Schlesinger, Jr.Examples of materialism in a Sentence
the materialism of modern society
Recent Examples on the Web
And research into telepathy falls way outside the materialism lane.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Research by Tim Kasser and Jean Twenge showed that materialism among 12th graders increased over time, peaking in the late 1980s and early 1990s with Generation X, and then stayed at those historically high levels among millennials.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
The locals did indicate that American soldiers had left a remarkable testament to materialism behind that would shape modern Greenland consumer culture—Sears, Roebuck and Company catalogs!
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Born into a wealthy family in 1896 in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, Yamaguchi joined a society that renounced materialism at a young age, and its teachings included walking door-to-door offering menial labor in exchange for food.
—Nathan Pugh, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Research by Tim Kasser and Jean Twenge showed that materialism among 12th graders increased over time, peaking in the late 1980s and early 1990s with Generation X, and then stayed at those historically high levels among millennials.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
The locals did indicate that American soldiers had left a remarkable testament to materialism behind that would shape modern Greenland consumer culture—Sears, Roebuck and Company catalogs!
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Born into a wealthy family in 1896 in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, Yamaguchi joined a society that renounced materialism at a young age, and its teachings included walking door-to-door offering menial labor in exchange for food.
—Nathan Pugh, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for materialism
Dictionary Entries Near materialism
Cite this Entry
“Materialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materialism. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
materialism
noun
ma·te·ri·al·ism
mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌliz-əm
1
: a theory that everything can be explained as being or coming from matter
2
: a tendency to attach too much importance to physical comfort and well-being
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