# utilitarianism

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #52,703

## Definitions
1. A system of ethics based on the premise that something's value may be measured by its usefulness.
2. The theory that action should be directed toward achieving the "greatest happiness for the greatest number of people" (hedonistic universalism), or one of various related theories.
3. Practicality, functionality, as opposed to e.g. aesthetics.

## Etymology
From utilitarian + -ism.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/utilitarianism