vitalism

noun

vi·​tal·​ism ˈvī-tə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct from physicochemical forces

2

: a doctrine that the processes of life are not explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry alone and that life is in some part self-determining

vitalist

ˈvī-tə-list 

noun or adjective

vitalistic

ˌvī-tə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

Examples of vitalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tara Isabella Burton considers the rise of vitalism. — Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025

That was vitalism, the idea that physics and chemistry were fine for inert matter, but anything alive was radically different. — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 26 Oct. 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vitalism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

Medical Definition

vitalism

noun

vi·​tal·​ism ˈvīt-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm 

1

: a doctrine that the functions of a living organism are due to a vital principle distinct from physicochemical forces

2

: a doctrine that the processes of life are not explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry alone and that life is in some part self-determining