holism

H4O1L1I1S1M3

noun

A theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Similar
holistic theory
Opposite
atomism
UncommonFirst used 1926Scrabble 11
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Meanings

nounholism (countable and uncountable, plural holisms)

plural holisms · alternative wholism

  1. countableuncountablehuman sciencesA theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.First known use 1926
  2. countableuncountablehuman sciencesA practice based on such a theory or belief.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe theory that the parts of any whole cannot exist and cannot be understood except in their relation to the whole

Similar
holistic theory
Opposite
atomism
Broader
theory

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From hol- (“whole, entire, total”) + -ism. Coined in 1926 by Jan Smuts.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan holisme
  • holismetheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Czech holismus
  • holismustheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Finnish holismi
  • holismitheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
French holisme, holisme
  • holismetheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
  • holismepractice based on such a theory or belief
German Holismus
  • Holismustheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Hindi समग्र सिद्धांत, समग्र दृष्टि
  • समग्र सिद्धांत (samagra siddhānt)theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
  • समग्र दृष्टि (samagra dŕṣṭi)theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
  • सर्वांगीण अवलोक (sarvāṅgīṇ avlok)theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Italian olismo
  • olismotheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Korean 전체론
  • 전체론 (jeoncheron)theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Latvian holisms
  • holismstheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Polish holizm
  • holizmtheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Portuguese holismo
  • holismotheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Russian холи́зм, холи́зм
  • холи́зм (xolízm)theory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
  • холи́зм (xolízm)practice based on such a theory or belief
Spanish holismo
  • holismotheory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Welsh cyfaniaeth
  • cyfaniaeththeory or belief that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts
Cite this entry
APA

holism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/holism

MLA

“holism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/holism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “holism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/holism.

Source: holism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.