phalanstery

noun

phal·​an·​stery ˈfa-lən-ˌster-ē How to pronounce phalanstery (audio)
plural phalansteries
1
a
: a Fourierist cooperative community
b
: a self-contained structure housing such a community
2
: something resembling a Fourierist phalanstery

Word History

Etymology

French phalanstère dwelling of a Fourierist community, from Latin phalang-, phalanx + French -stère (as in monastère monastery)

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of phalanstery was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near phalanstery

Cite this Entry

“Phalanstery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phalanstery. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!