materialism

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Philosophy The theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena.
2. n. The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life.
3. n. A great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The denial of the existence in man of an immaterial substance, which alone is conscious, distinct and separable from the body.
2. n. The metaphysical doctrine that matter is the only substance, and that matter and its motions constitute the universe. See idealism, 1.
3. n. The doctrine that all phenomena are to be accounted for by the fortuitous concourse of atoms, in connection with certain laws or tendencies toward laws, in nature; Epicureanism.
4. n. Any opinion or tendency that is based upon purely material interests; hence, any low view of life; devotion to material things or interests; neglect of spiritual for physical needs and considerations.

Wiktionary

1. n. Constant concern over material possessions and wealth; a great or excessive regard for worldly concerns.
2. n. philosophy The philosophical belief that nothing exists beyond what is physical.
3. n. obsolete, rare Material substances in the aggregate; matter.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. The doctrine of materialists; materialistic views and tenets; called also philosophical materialism.
2. n. The tendency to give undue importance to material interests as contrasted with spiritual concerns; devotion to the material nature and its wants.
3. n. R. & Obs. Material substances in the aggregate; matter.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. (philosophy) the philosophical theory that matter is the only reality
2. n. a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest in ethical or spiritual matters