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materialism

The definition of materialism is the philosophy that everything can be explained in terms of matter, or the idea that goods and wealth are the most important things.

(noun)

An example of materialism is explaining love in terms of material things.
An example of materialism is valuing a new car over friendships.

See materialism in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. the philosophic doctrine that matter is the only reality and that everything in the world, including thought, will, and feeling, can be explained in terms of matter alone
2. the doctrine that comfort, pleasure, and wealth are the only or highest goals or values
the tendency to be more concerned with material than with spiritual or intellectual goals or values

Origin: Fr matérialisme

See materialism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Philosophy The theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.
The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life.
A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.

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