capitalism

cap-i-tal-ism · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    An economic system in which trade, industry, and the means of production are privately owned and operated for profit.

  2. 2.

    The dominance of private owners of capital in an economy.

Related words

Antonyms: communism, socialism
See also: capital, capitalist, economy, socialism
Synonyms: free enterprise, free market, market economy

Etymology

From "capital" + "-ism" suffix. "Capital" comes from Latin capitalis meaning "of the head, chief." The term "capitalism" emerged in the mid-19th century.