noun
socialism
SOH-shuh-lih-zuhm
noun
1
A political and economic system in which the means of production, distribution, and wealth are owned or controlled collectively, often by the state, rather than by private individuals.
"The party campaigned on a platform of democratic socialism."
"Under socialism, key industries are typically state-owned."
How to Use Socialism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe idea that a society's wealth and industries should be owned or controlled collectively rather than by private individuals.
Common pairings
democratic socialism
under socialism
Word Forms
socialisms plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “socialism”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The party campaigned on a platform of democratic _____.
Etymology
First recorded in the 1830s, from French socialisme or built directly from social + -ism.
Antonyms
Related Words
Rhymes for socialism
realism
idealism
vandalism
capitalism
liberalism
surrealism
journalism
materialism
cannibalism
nationalism
imperialism
colonialism
See all rhymes for socialism →