Definitions for zeitgeistˈtsaɪtˌgaɪst

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word zeitgeist

Princeton's WordNet

  1. Zeitgeist(noun)



  1. zeitgeist(Noun)



  1. Zeitgeist

    The Zeitgeist is the intellectual fashion or dominant school of thought that typifies and influences the culture of a particular period in time. For example, the Zeitgeist of modernism typified and influenced architecture, art, and fashion during much of the 20th century. The German word Zeitgeist is often attributed to the philosopher Georg Hegel, but he never actually used the word. In his works such as Lectures on the Philosophy of History, he uses the phrase der Geist seiner Zeit —for example, "no man can surpass his own time, for the spirit of his time is also his own spirit." Other philosophers who were associated with such ideas include Herder and Spencer and Voltaire. The concept counters the Great Man theory popularized by Thomas Carlyle which sees history as the result of the actions of heroes and geniuses. The first interpretation is reflected well in Indian context in the eleventh canto of Bhagavad Gita, a holy book of Hindus in a verse as said by Krishna, a godhead of Hindus, to Arjuna inspiring him to fight the battle of Kurukshetra, which translated into English means, "I am Time who wastes and destroys the people; lo, I have arisen in my might, I am here to swallow up the nations. Even without thee all they shall not be, the men of war who stand arrayed in the opposing squadrons. Therefore do thou arise and get thee great glory, conquer thy foes and enjoy a great and wealthy empire. For these, they were already slain and it is I who have slain them; be the occasion only, O Savyasachin".

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Zeitgeist

    tsīt′gīst, n. the spirit of the age. [Ger.]

The Roycroft Dictionary

  1. zeitgeist

    The things that everybody believes, but that nobody understands.


  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of zeitgeist in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of zeitgeist in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

  1. Charles Robertson:

    The Brexit vote, swung to Leave by the immigration debate, is a powerful rejection of the status quo by the electorate, orban captures that zeitgeist better than most.

  2. President Robert Casey:

    I think the decision came now in response to the current zeitgeist, the body acceptance movement has been an increasingly loud voice and SI’s choice echoes this societal shift.

  3. Mike Draper:

    I think it's part of the zeitgeist nationally. It's cool to see what's happened in Des Moines, but there's also downtown regeneration in Hartford, Philly -- pretty much every city.

  4. Robert H Bork:


  5. Joanna Rudnick:

    The public zeitgeist right now is trying to expand that lens on beauty, sarah walked through life looking down and we're responsible for making people feel that way. We all have the power to not look at someone like a disease.

Images & Illustrations of zeitgeist

Translations for zeitgeist

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for zeitgeist »


Find a translation for the zeitgeist definition in other languages:

Select another language:

Discuss these zeitgeist definitions with the community:

Word of the Day


Please enter your email address:     


Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:


"zeitgeist." STANDS4 LLC, 2016. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <>.

Are we missing a good definition for zeitgeist? Don't keep it to yourself...

Nearby & related entries:

Alternative searches for zeitgeist:

Thanks for your vote! We truly appreciate your support.