məˈtirēəˌlizəm, -tēr- noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin materialismus, from Late Latin materialis material + Latin -ismus -ism
1.
a. : a doctrine, theory, or principle according to which physical matter is the only reality and the reality through which all being and processes and phenomena can be explained — compare mentalism
b. : a doctrine, theory, or principle according to which the only or the highest values or objectives of living lie in material well-being and pleasure and in the furtherance of material progress
2. : a preoccupation with or tendency to seek after or stress material things rather than intellectual or spiritual things