zeitgeist

noun

zeit·​geist ˈtsīt-ˌgīst How to pronounce zeitgeist (audio) ˈzīt- How to pronounce zeitgeist (audio)
often capitalized
: the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era

Did you know?

Scholars have long maintained that each era has a unique spirit, a nature or climate that sets it apart from all other epochs. In German, such a spirit is known as Zeitgeist, from the German words Zeit, meaning "time," and Geist, meaning "spirit" or "ghost."

Examples of zeitgeist in a Sentence

His songs perfectly captured the zeitgeist of 1960s America.
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.
This is not just a new drink lineup, but a signal, a cultural zeitgeist, inviting customers to pause, sip, and indulge. Kate Hardcastle, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 In appointing Pharrell Williams as creative director in 2023, Louis Vuitton tapped further into the zeitgeist, refreshing the brand's image and broadening both its appeal and its dedication to cultural excellence. Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2024 On an aesthetic level, while logos used to reign, the luxury labels that best capture the zeitgeist today are mastering a more subdued — but, importantly, not boring — design POV informed by personal style. Romany Williams, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 Of the ball-lobbing sports, ping-pong is a distant third in the zeitgeist behind tennis and pickleball. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for zeitgeist 

Word History

Etymology

German, from Zeit + Geist spirit

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zeitgeist was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near zeitgeist

Cite this Entry

“Zeitgeist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zeitgeist. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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