English · Word Candidate

capitalism

/ˈkapɪt(ə)lɪz(ə)m/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: capitalisms

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A socio-economic system based on private ownership of resources, and capital and their exploitation for profit.

Noun

Examples

What this war has demonstrated is that private capitalism—that is, an economic system in which land, factories, mines and transport are owned privately and operated solely for profit—does not work. It cannot deliver the goods. This fact had been known to millions of people for years past, but nothin

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A socio-economic system based on private ownership of resources, and capital and their exploitation for profit. — An economic system based on private control of the means of production and the exploitation of labour by capital.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “capitalism” mean?

A socio-economic system based on private ownership of resources, and capital and their exploitation for profit.

Is “capitalism” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.