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

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

The Church of Eternal Light is a small former schoolhouse in Bristol with a long relationship with spiritualism and paganism. —Shahrzad Rasekh, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2024

Yet even once those facts were laid bare, exposing the second murders as payback for the first, the weighty spiritualism and surreal imagery hung over the revelations unveiled in the last 15 minutes. —Brian Lowry, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024

Perl is one of many creators offering these services online—with many building thriving businesses—and tapping into a long-running American tradition of spiritualism. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 4 Feb. 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