Capitalism

Origin

From French capitalisme ("the condition of one who is rich"). First used in English by novelist William Thackeray in 1854.

Full definition of capitalism

Noun

1. (politics, uncountable) a socio-economic system based on private property rights, including the private ownership of resources or capital, with economic decisions made largely through the operation of a market unregulated by the state.
2. (economics, uncountable) a socio-economic system based on the abstraction of resources into the form of privately owned capital, with economic decisions made largely through the operation of a market unregulated by the state.
3. (countable) a specific variation or implementation of either such socio-economic system.