What does "reification" mean?
The consideration of an abstract thing as if it were concrete, or of an inanimate object as if it were living.
Reification
/ˌɹeɪəfəˈkeɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The consideration of an abstract thing as if it were concrete, or of an inanimate object as if it were living.
- Grammar: reification is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: hypostatization, corporealization, depersonalisation, depersonalization.
- Usage evidence: The reification of art and religion, a symptom of their historical obsolescence, takes the form of their instrumentalization, their reduction to a mere use value. At this point they become ‘cultural goods’, writes Adorno, and ‘are no longer taken quite seriously by anybody.’
How to use "reification"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "reification" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "reification" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "reification" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "reification" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "reification" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "hypostatization" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "reification", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The consideration of an abstract thing as if it were concrete, or of an inanimate object as if it were living. countable, uncountable
"The reification of art and religion, a symptom of their historical obsolescence, takes the form of their instrumentalization, their reduction to a mere use value. At this point they become ‘cultural goods’, writes Adorno, and ‘are no longer taken quite seriously by anybody.’"
- 2 representing a human being as a physical thing deprived of personal qualities or individuality wordnet
- 3 The consideration of a human being as an impersonal object. countable, uncountable
- 4 regarding something abstract as a material thing wordnet
- 5 A process that makes a computable/addressable object out of a non-computable/addressable one; or a concrete class out of a generic one. countable, uncountable
"Contrary to Java, C++ and C# implement generics via reification, meaning that each specific version of a generic class, like List<String> is converted into a concrete class, either at compile time (C++) or at runtime (C#)."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The transformation of a natural-language statement into a form in which its actions and events are quantifiable variables. countable, uncountable
Example
"The reification of art and religion, a symptom of their historical obsolescence, takes the form of their instrumentalization, their reduction to a mere use value. At this point they become ‘cultural goods’, writes Adorno, and ‘are no longer taken quite seriously by anybody.’"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "reification"?
Common synonyms include: hypostatization, corporealization, depersonalisation, depersonalization, embodiment, fetish.
How do you use "reification" in a sentence?
The reification of art and religion, a symptom of their historical obsolescence, takes the form of their instrumentalization, their reduction to a mere use value. At this point they become ‘cultural goods’, writes Adorno, and ‘are no longer taken quite seriously by anybody.’
How do you pronounce "reification"?
Pronounced /ˌɹeɪəfəˈkeɪʃən/.
Etymology
First attested around 1846; a macaronic calque of German Verdinglichung, using -ification (“making”) for ver- + -lich + -ung, and Latin rēs (“thing”) for Ding (“thing”)