zeitgeist
noun
ˈzīt-
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Scholars have long maintained that each era has a unique spirit, a nature or climate that sets it apart from all others. In German, such a spirit is known as Zeitgeist, from the German words Zeit, meaning "time," and Geist, meaning "spirit" or "ghost." (This same Geist, when combined with poltern, meaning "to knock," led to the English word poltergeist referring to a noisy ghost.) It is common nowadays to read about something "tapping into" or "capturing" the zeitgeist, as doing so often entails popularity or profitability in appealing to a great many people, though sometimes the zeitgeist of a particular time and place is only recognized in hindsight, either due to nostalgia or with the benefit of (one hopes) greater wisdom.
Examples of zeitgeist in a Sentence
David Oliver, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
This timepiece, the GMT-Master (or GMT-Master II), has proliferated through the zeitgeist to such an extent that even horological novices are at least remotely familiar with it.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025
Adolescence’s first ep, which has dominated the global cultural zeitgeist over the past fortnight, has become the first ever UK streaming show to top the weekly British ratings chart while also amassing the biggest audience for any streaming TV show in the UK in a single week.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2025
The digital zeitgeist has become overly concerned in leaning into femininity by any means necessary especially as conservative ideals are pushed to the forefront.
—Laura-Ashley Modunkwu, refinery29.com, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for zeitgeist
Cite this Entry
“Zeitgeist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zeitgeist. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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