monism

noun

1
a
: a view that there is only one kind of ultimate substance
b
: the view that reality is one unitary organic whole with no independent parts
2
3
: a viewpoint or theory that reduces all phenomena to one principle
monist
ˈmō-nist How to pronounce monism (audio)
ˈmä-
noun
monistic adjective

Examples of monism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But monism was declared a heresy, first by the medieval Church and second, in Päs’s telling, by physicist Niels Bohr. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2022 Even those religions such as Neo-paganism and Hinduism which adhere to a monism which collapses the distinction between human and non-human operationally do seem to privilege the human perspective. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2011 If only physics would embrace monism, its deepest mysteries would yield to that magic number. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

German Monismus, from mon- + -ismus -ism

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of monism was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near monism

Cite this Entry

“Monism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monism. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on monism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!