/keuhn sooh"meuh riz'euhm/ , n.
1. a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc.
2. the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.
3. the fact or practice of an increasing consumption of goods: a critic of American consumerism.
[ 1940-45, Amer.; CONSUMER + -ISM ]