consumerism

American  

[kuhn-soo-muh-riz-uhm] / kənˈsu məˌrɪz əm /

noun

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.

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consumerism British  

/ kənˈsjuːməˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. protection of the interests of consumers

2. advocacy of a high rate of consumption and spending as a basis for a sound economy

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consumerism Cultural  

1. A movement in the United States that seeks to protect consumers against shoddy or improperly labeled products. (See Ralph Nader.)

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Other Word Forms

• anticonsumerism noun
• consumerist noun

Etymology

Origin of consumerism

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; consumer + -ism

Example Sentences

Some fans and critics of the singer are questioning whether Swift is overexposed or if her recent work is feeding a culture of consumerism.

From Los Angeles Times

Japan has a tiny Christian majority and Christmas is a secular festival of full-bore consumerism complete with Santa, gifts and streetlights.

From Barron's

But mobilizing patriotic consumerism also carries risks that official sanctions don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chip Colwell, an anthropologist and the author of “So Much Stuff,” a history of consumerism, thinks that tariffs will cause people to buy less in the short term.

From The Wall Street Journal

With David funding her every whim, Jackie discovers the joys of consumerism as her family expands along with her credit line.

From Los Angeles Times