spiritualism

noun

spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ism ˈspir-i-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm 

-i-chə-ˌli-,

-ich-wə-ˌli-

1

: the view that spirit is a prime element of reality

2

a

: a belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living usually through a medium

b

capitalized : a movement comprising religious organizations emphasizing spiritualism

spiritualist

ˈspir-i-chə-wə-list 

-i-chə-list

-ich-wə-list

noun often capitalized

spiritualistic

ˌspir-i-chə-wə-ˈli-stik 

-i-chə-ˈli-

-ich-wə-ˈli-

adjective

Examples of spiritualism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Learn about spiritualism, mesmerism and phrenology. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2024

Instead of scientists, debunking spiritualism fell upon magicians. —Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

Netflix’s skin-crawling creep-out profiles the Twin Flames Universe (TFU), a love cult pushing a bizarre combination of New Age spiritualism, Hinduism, and conservative Christianity. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 July 2024

But of course, in cultures all over the world, there’s a rich history rooted in spiritualism and mythmaking and healing. —Quanta Magazine, 6 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spiritualism

noun

spir·​i·​tu·​al·​ism ˈspir-ich-(ə-)wə-ˌliz-əm 

-ich-ə-ˌliz-

: a belief that the spirits of the dead communicate with the living